By DAVID CARTER
K-State News & Communications Services
MANHATTAN — After hosting the Kansas Statewide KidWind Challenge, the Kansas Energy Program in Kansas State University's Engineering Extension department will advance six teams to the National KidWind Challenge in Boulder, Colo., May 14-17.
Student teams from schools in Beloit, Buhler, Burlington, Hutchinson and Oakley will represent Kansas in the national competition.
The Kansas KidWind Challenge starts with six regional competitions across the State of Kansas. Four teams from each regional competition advance to the statewide competition. A field of 94 teams — 355 students — from 54 schools at the regional competitions was reduced to only 22 teams — 78 students — from 18 schools at the statewide competition, and ultimately to only six teams — 23 students — from six schools going to the National KidWind Challenge.
Each team had to research, design and build its own wind turbine to test in a wind tunnel that is 4 feet by 4 feet. Each team was awarded points in four areas: turbine performance, a knowledge quiz, an instant challenge and a judge's panel, where the team members have to present their design-and-build process.
The following are the six teams advancing to the National KidWind Challenge.
Fourth through eighth grade division
• First place — Hutch STEM Blue from Allen STEM Magnet School, USD 308, earning 91.07 points out of a possible 100. Team members are Dalton Urban, Liam Clark, Zoey Schletzbaum and Gatlin Leopp. Team coaches are Tara Urban and Jes Brockleman.
• Second place — W2, or "W squared," from the Oakley School District, USD 274, earning 86.70 points. Team members are Maddox Hubert, Gage Eberle, Jayde Kahle, Kylee Hodges, Emma Mandeville and Zoe Meyers. Team coach is Morgan Berkgren.
• Third place — Los Girasoles Ventosos, translated as "The Windy Sunflowers," from Beloit Jr/Sr High School, USD 273, earning 86.27 points. Team members are Tripp Stillwell, Brylee LePon and Rilee Lundine. Team coach is Christie Fouts.
Ninth through 12th grade division
• First place — The Goblins from Beloit High School, USD 273, earning 90.5 points. Team members are Jayce Offutt, Jackson Cheney, Luke Cheney, Charlie Burke and Jayc Darnall. Team coaches are Grant Deneke and Christie Fouts.
• Second place — Cru Winds from Buhler High School, USD 313, earning a score of 87.6. Team members are Andrew Morgan and Isaak Neighbor. Team coaches are Curtis Morgan and James Gazaway.
• Third place — Burlington Wind Company from Burlington High School, USD 244, earning a score of 79.5. Team members are Logan Curten, Michael Ianacone and Isaac Rinker. Team coaches are Bryan Bruening and Jan Martin.
KidWind is an Energy Education Event from the Kansas Corporation Commission and K-State Engineering Extension, made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. The goal is to help students learn key concepts around science, technology, engineering and math in fun and engaging ways.
Students from Beloit earned national recognition at the National KidWind Challenge in San Antonio, Texas, in May of 2022.