As part of their commitment to STEM education and hands-on learning, Vernier sponsored this year’s National KidWind Challenge in which teams of students test the energy output of wind turbines they designed and built. This event strengthens students’ critical thinking skills by introducing them to renewable energy solutions with real-world applications.

This year, more than 280 students from across the country competed to earn one of 10 coveted Top KidWind Challenge Team distinctions, which were awarded at the National KidWind Challenge during the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) WINDPOWER 2019 conference in May 2019. The national competition was the culminating event for the KidWind Challenge season, which consisted of 32 local challenges across the country.

Vernier congratulates all of the students for their hard work, including this year’s winning teams:

Middle School Age Division (Grades 4–8)

1. Gone with the Wind from Tabb Middle School in Yorktown, Virginia
2. Zephyr from Glasgow Middle School in Lincolnia, Virginia
3. Breezy Bees from Darlington Elementary-Middle School in Darlington, Wisconsin
4. SC Winnders from Sand Creek Middle School from Albany, New York
5. The Single Bladies from Darlington Elementary-Middle School in Darlington, Wisconsin

High School Age Division (Grades 9–12)

1. Breezy Buffoons from Lake Pleasant Central School in Speculator, New York
2. Full Throttle from Henley High School in Klamath Falls, Oregon
3. Silver Bullet from Coachella Valley High School in Thermal, California
4. Fox Works from Fox Chapel Area High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
5. Oxford AirSharks from Oxford High School in Oxford, Kansas

Since the first event in 2009, the KidWind Challenge and its partners have hosted 227 local challenges in 26 states and 5 national challenges, impacting roughly 35,000 students.

This is the third year Vernier has sponsored the National KidWind Challenge.

Learn more about the 2019 National KidWind Challenge and how to get involved »

All images provided by the KidWind Project.