More than 130 middle school students from across the Sacramento region will put their engineering skills to the test Friday as they design, build and test their own wind turbines during SMUD’s KidWind Challenge Jr.
SMUD is partnering with KidWind to host the hands-on science, technology, engineering and math competition Friday, Sept. 11, at the Aerospace Museum of California in McClellan.
Throughout the day, teams of students will be given the tools and materials needed to design and construct one-of-a-kind small wind turbines. Their creations will then face the ultimate test inside a wind tunnel, where students will see how effectively their designs can turn moving air into energy.
The competition is designed to give students practical experience with engineering and renewable energy while encouraging teamwork, creativity and problem-solving. It also introduces students to clean-energy technology and potential career opportunities within the growing renewable-energy sector.
Teams will compete against one another throughout the challenge, with trophies and medals awaiting the top performers.
The KidWind program uses wind and other renewable-energy technologies to bring STEM concepts out of textbooks and into hands-on learning environments. Students are challenged to apply principles of physics, engineering and energy production as they experiment with turbine blades, generators and other design elements.
SMUD Board President Dave Tamayo is expected to join SMUD representatives and the participating students during Friday’s competition.
The KidWind Challenge Jr. runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at the Aerospace Museum of California, 3200 Freedom Park Drive in McClellan.
SMUD is the nation’s sixth-largest community-owned, not-for-profit electric service provider and has served Sacramento County for more than 75 years. The utility operates energy-efficiency and renewable-power programs as part of its efforts to decarbonize the region’s power supply while maintaining electric reliability.
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