NAVIGATING WORLDS
Schedule By Day
Saturday, May 16th
Arrival Day!
Sunday, May 17th
Check-In & Testing Day!
Afternoon:
Check-In at the University of Madison-Wisconsin campus in the Nicholas Recreation Center.
Open Wind Tunnel & Solar Testing: Run your turbine through any of the wind tunnels and test your solar home under our competition solar testing rig.
Teams can leave their turbines and solar homes at their team tables overnight.
Here's what you can expect at check-in:
- Coaches will check-in with our KidWind Team to let us know you arrived. Woohoo!
- Find your team's assigned table & get started assembling/constructing your wind turbine and/or solar home.
- Check out the goodies and materials related to the competition on your team table.
- Run your turbine through any of the wind tunnels for pre-competition tunnel testing.
- Test your solar home under our competition solar testing rig.
Pro tip: The earlier you arrive, the faster you'll get your turbine set-up, and the more tests you'll get in before the competition begins on Monday!
Monday, May 18th
Competition Day 1!
- Morning: World KidWind Challenge Kick-Off
- All Day: Wind Tunnel & Solar Rig Testing
- Scheduled:
- Knowledge Test
- Judges Presentations
- Instant Challenges
Tuesday, May 19th
Competition Day 2!
- All Day: Wind Tunnel & Solar Rig Testing
- Scheduled:
- Judges Presentations
- Instant Challenges
Wednesday, May 20th
Closing Day!
- Morning: Judges Callbacks (for top teams in the MS and HS divisions) & Final Tunnel Testing
- Afternoon:
- AWARDS CEREMONY!
- Breakdown & Pack-Up
We suggest you book lodging close to the University of Wisconsin - Madison.
KidWind has reserved room blocks in two hotels near the UW-Madison campus at discounted rates.
Hilton Garden Inn Madison Downtown - BOOKING LINK
770 Regent Street Madison, WI 53715
(608) 720-1623
1 King & 2 Queen Rooms
$179/night, available Sat. 5/16
$139/night, available Sun. 5/17-Wed. 5/20
Parking: $15/night per vehicle
Hampton Inn & Suites Madison Downtown - BOOKING LINK
440 W. Johnson St. Madison, WI 53703
(608) 467-5016
2 Queen Rooms
$139/night, available Sat. 5/16-Wed. 5/20
Parking: $15/night per vehicle
Be sure you complete the following before coming to Worlds!
- Place at an In-Person KidWind Challenge or Online Challenge and receive an official invitation from KidWind.
- Register your team! See your official invitation email for the Team Registration link.
- Log-in to your Team Dashboard. Ask your coach for log-in details.
- Complete Attendee Forms.
- Complete Liability & Media Release Forms.
- Each person attending Worlds including student team members, coaches/chaperones, teachers, parents, siblings, friends, grandparents, etc. MUST complete these two forms in order to attend.
- Start a fundraising campaign. Learn how to fundraise on the KW website on the FAQ.
- Book your travel to Madison, WI. PLEASE NOTE: REAL ID or another accepted form of identification are required for all U.S. travelers 18 years and older to board domestic flights. This includes a passport, passport card, or military ID.
- Book lodging in Madison, WI.
- Refine your turbine or solar home.
- Plan how you'll get your turbine(s) or solar home(s) to Madison, WI (teams must bring a COMPLETE device - we will only have tools and limited supplied to make repairs).
- WIND TEAMS ONLY: Prepare your team's Executive Summary.
- We will share 2026 Executive Summary templates in March.
- SOLAR TEAMS ONLY: Prepare your team's Required documents.
- See the Rules Page.
- Bonus Points: Complete your Team Profile with a working video (1 point) & submit ALL Attendee Forms for people joining your team for Worlds (students, coaches, and chaperones) with Liability & Media Release Forms (2 points). These must be completed by May 2nd in order to receive the extra points.
Each person planning on attending Worlds must complete the Attendee Form (student team members, coaches/chaperones, teachers, parents, siblings, friends, grandparents, etc.). After completing an Attendee Form, attendees must complete a Liability and Media Release Form by logging into their Team Dashboard. Ask your coach for Team Dashboard login instructions!
Students under 18 will not be able to complete the form on their own. They will need to complete the form in the company of a guardian.
It is not necessary to rent a car for the 2026 World KidWind Challenge.
For travel to and from the airport, there are app-based ride services like Uber/Lyft, van & shuttle services, and public transportation options.
The Madison metro area has plenty of Ubers and Lyfts available at all hours of the day, making them the most reliable method of transportation during Worlds.
There are several parking options available on the UW - Madison campus including hourly garage parking and daily parking permits. You can find the parking options and prices here.
Contact Zella at Zella@KidWind.org with any questions that come up!
Thanks to our Sponsors!
