Online Wind Turbine Challenge

Using your knowledge of how wind energy works, your team needs to build a small turbine to produce as much power as possible! Think about the best construction techniques and the most innovative design to make it operate. Entries will be evaluated based on performance as well as creativity, quality, and demonstrated knowledge. You can check for confirmation that you submitted your project by looking at the View Projects section of the Online Wind Challenge page.

While the Online Challenges have traditionally been monthly, evaluations will now be quarterly. After the end of each cycle, we will review the projects submitted and select a few of our favorites to feature on the website.

Submissions will be judged by the KidWind team and winners will be selected on a quarterly basis. Winners receive prizes and are invited to participate in the World KidWind Challenge, a large and prestigious in-person event, hosted at a conference center in a different state every year. Projects will be grouped for evaluation based on the following time frames:

• Projects submitted by November 1st for Quarter 1
• Projects submitted by February 1st for Quarter 2
• Projects submitted by April 1st for Quarter 3
• Projects submitted by August 1st for Quarter 4.

If your team is chosen as a winner, a KidWind staff member will contact the coach. Winners selected from Quarters 1-3 (August 1st through April 1st) will be invited to a World KidWind Challenge in spring 2026.

How Do I Participate?

1. Get some gear: If you need some gear to start building your turbine we would start here.
2. Download the detailed rules.
3. Submit your project: Fill out the fields on the online submission form. Make sure to take pictures of your project and process!  We will ask you to submit a photo of your entire turbine taken straight on, featuring the blades and hub. Any other photos of blades close up, different angles, etc. can be added as well when you submit your project.

Please note: The more data you share in the project submission form, the better our judges will be able to evaluate and score your turbine. Teams that submit details in most or all of the submission form fields often score higher.

Resources

• Anemometers: One of the most important variables we use to calculate your efficiency and performance is wind speed. While we have created the Wind Speed Cheat Sheet, as you can imagine this is pretty inaccurate! To make improve the data we get consider getting an inexpensive anemometer. This will greatly improve the data you provide!
• Wind speed cheat sheet: Not sure what the wind speed of your fan is? Use this cheat sheet to find out the speeds of common household box fans.
• Performance Calculator: Use this handy tool to test your device’s performance before you submit to the Online Challenge! The electrical output capability will be the most helpful for the Wind Turbine Design Challenge.