TOPEKA - After winning performances at regional and state KidWind Challenge events, 13 Kansas teams packed up their wind turbines and traveled to Phoenix, AZ to take on the world. The World KidWind Challenge, held May 19-21, drew 131 teams from 26 states, Taiwan, and Mexico. Four Kansas teams won five of the 38 awards handed out during the event.

The turbines, designed and built by students, were put to the test in low speed and high-speed wind tunnels. In addition to turbine performance, scoring was based on a knowledge quiz, a presentation to judges where the team explains its design process and an instant challenge. Students compete by age categories. 

The list of winning Kansas teams and links to their photos appear below:

Energy Efficiency & Sustainability Award:
The WINders, Nemaha Central Middle School  (6th–8th Grade Division)
The Mavericks, Oakley High School   (9th–12th Grade Division)
Innovation Award:
The Mavericks, Oakley High School   (9th–12th Grade Division)
Rookie of the Year Award:
The Wind Whisperers, Oakley Middle School (6th–8th Grade Division)
Judge’s Award
The Twisty Tornados, Logan Middle School (6th–8th Grade Division)

Other Kansas teams participating in World KidWind include:
RCHC Oak Leaf Engineers, Reno County Homeschool Connections
Wind Breakers, Sunflower Elementary
Girl Energy, Beloit Jr/Sr High School
Wind Warriors, Kepley Middle School
Cru Winds, Buhler High School
The Ginger and the Normies, Beloit High School
Sea Breeze, Oakley High School
Wind Wizards, Burlington High School
Wind Monkeys, Burlington High School

In 2025, five regional KidWind Challenges were held throughout the state, with winners qualifying for the Statewide Challenge and ultimately, the World KidWind Challenge. The program registered 80 teams and 314 students from 41 schools in the Kansas competition and sent a record 35 teams to the Statewide Challenge.

Kansas KidWind is an energy-related STEM education event from the Kansas Corporation Commission and K-State Engineering Extension made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. More information about KidWind, including 2026 events can be found here.