Judges are an essential part of each KidWind Challenge, as they bring their expertise in engineering, education, renewable energy to evaluate student projects. Judges work in a group of three to review each team's project documentation, observe their presentations, and provide valuable feedback to each team. 

If you have a background in engineering, education, or renewable energy, this role is a great way to use your knowledge to inspire and mentor the next generation of innovators. 

If you are interested in being a judge but not strictly part of the renewable energy industry, don't worry! We will provide training. If you are willing to listen and ask questions, you will make a great judge! 

Each challenge can have up to 5 divisions: Elementary Wind, Middle School Wind, High School Wind, Middle School Solar, and High School Solar. Judges can request which of these divisions they feel most comfortable judging. However, the exact divisions that will be at each event is dependent on team registration. We ask that judges be willing to be flexible with their assigned judging room. 

• Recognition for Your Company: We will publicly recognize your company or organization during the award ceremony, showcasing your support for education and renewable energy. Feel free to wear clothing with your company’s logo on it as well.
• Bio in Event Program: A (short) bio will be featured in the event program, either online or in print, giving you the opportunity to highlight your expertise and contribution to this meaningful event. We hope these bios give students an idea of the plethora of different roles they can play in the renewable energy industry. 
• Complimentary Lunch and Tshirt: Enjoy a provided lunch and Kidwind Tshirt during the event as a thank-you for your time and dedication.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with other professionals in the renewable energy field and STEM education, expanding your professional network.
• Make a Difference: Contribute directly to the development of the future workforce by mentoring students and helping them develop critical skills in STEM and renewable energy. 

Pre-Event Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with the judging rubric, rules, and process
• Attend a 30 minute judge's webinar (this information may instead be relayed in a premade video, TBD)
• Be attentive to emails to ensure you know where and when to arrive on the challenge date

Event Day Commitment:

• Judges should arrive at 8:30 on the day of the challenge. Judges will meet with CASE staff to review the judging process. The welcome ceremony will begin at 9am, and judging will begin ~9:45am. 
• The length of judging is dependent on the number of teams registered, but may continue until 2pm, followed by an hour to enter in scores for each team. 
• Judges are encouraged, but not required, to stay through the award ceremony to present superlative awards to winning teams.

Timing

Wind teams each have a presentation time of 10 minutes (15 minutes is slotted for each team for bumper time). About 7 minutes will be their presentation 3 minutes will be questions from judges, then 5 minutes bumper time for entering/exiting.

Solar teams each have a presentation time of 15 minutes  (20 minutes is slotted for each team for bumper time). About 7 minutes will be their presentation, 5 minutes will be a demonstration of their project, 3 minutes will be questions from judges, then 5 minutes bumper time for entering/exiting.

Evaluation

There are three judges per judging room. Individual judges will take notes during team's presentations. Once all presentations are complete, judges will collaborate to determine and enter a score for each team based on the rubric. Judges are also asked to provide constructive feedback to teams to help them improve their project for their next competition. 

Questions to Ask Teams

Judges encouraged to ask questions about their design process, research, teamwork, engineering, or whatever else you may see fit!

As a Turbine Performance Judge, you will be responsible for running the wind tunnel tests during the KidWind Challenge. This is a key role in the competition, as wind teams will rely on the wind tunnel to measure the performance of their wind turbine models. You’ll work closely with students, ensuring that their turbines are properly set up for testing and that the results are recorded accurately. You will run the collection data software, ensure projects adhere to competition guidelines, document energy output for each team, and take notes of teams that exemplify good sportsmanship to nominate for the sportsmanship award. 

• Recognition for Your Company: We will publicly recognize your company or organization during the award ceremony, showcasing your support for education and renewable energy. Feel free to wear clothing with your company’s logo on it as well.
• Bio in Event Program: A (short) bio will be featured in the event program, either online or in print, giving you the opportunity to highlight your expertise and contribution to this meaningful event. We hope these bios give students an idea of the plethora of different roles they can play in the renewable energy industry. 
• Complimentary Lunch and Tshirt: Enjoy a provided lunch and Kidwind Tshirt during the event as a thank-you for your time and dedication.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with other professionals in the renewable energy field and STEM education, expanding your professional network.
• Make a Difference: Contribute directly to the development of the future workforce by mentoring students and helping them develop critical skills in STEM and renewable energy. 

Pre-Event Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with competition rules
• Review wind tunnel operating videos (~20 minutes in total time, video links will be shared once created)
• Be attentive to emails to ensure you know where and when to arrive on the challenge date

Event Day Commitment:

• Turbine Performance Judges should arrive at 7:30 on the day of the challenge to meet with CASE staff to review the tunnel process. Open tunnel testing for teams is between 8am-9am, when teams can practice in the wind tunnel without recording a score. welcome ceremony will begin at 9am, and scored wind tunnel testing will begin ~9:45am. 
• Wind tunnel testing will continue until around 2pm. 
• Turbine Performance Judges are encouraged, but not required, to stay through the award ceremony to present superlative awards to winning teams.

Time Commitment: ~3-5pm the day BEFORE the challenge

Activity Level Required: High- This role requires lifting objects and being on your feet for the majority of the time. 

Description: Join the CASE team the day before the challenge for a sneak preview of the event. Assist in wind tunnel building, team T-shirt, info, and name distribution, judging room set up, and more. We aren't bias- but if you are willing to help us set up the day before you may become a favorite! 

Time Commitment: ~2-4pm the day of the challenge

Activity Level Required: High- This role requires lifting objects and being on your feet for the majority of the time. 

Description: As a member of the Clean-Up Crew, you will help ensure the event space is returned to its original condition after the competition. This includes packing up equipment, clearing event materials, and assisting with general tidying.

Time Commitment: ~8am-2pm on the day of the challenge (will be broken into shifts) 

Activity Level Required: Low- This role involves mostly stationary tasks. 

Description: As a Knowledge Quiz Proctor, you will oversee the quiz portion of the KidWind Challenge. You’ll run the Kahoot quiz and ensure that teams follow the rules during the quiz. 

Time Commitment: ~9:30-3:00pm on the day of the challenge (will be broken into shifts) 

Activity Level Required: Low- This role involves mostly stationary tasks. 

Description: As a judging room assistant, you will help ensure that the judging process goes smoothly for each team. During teams presentation with the judges, you will track their presentation time, alerting teams when they have 5 minutes left, 2 minutes left, 1 minute left, and you will politely end their presentation when time is up. You keep track of the judging schedule and alert the volunteer team if a team has not shown up for their judging time. The last shift of judging room assistants will assist in entering in team scores. This role is best for someone who is comfortable with technology and is attentive to detail. 

Time Commitment: ~9:30-3:00pm on the day of the challenge (will be broken into shifts) 

Activity Level Required: Moderate- This role requires walking and standing. 

Description: As a Team Coordinator, you will keep track of which teams are scheduled for judging, collect teams from their tables, and ensure they are ready and "on deck" for their judging sessions. You will also help direct teams that are lost or looking for a room. 

Time Commitment: 7:45-9:00am on the day of the challenge

Activity Level Required: Low- This role involves mostly stationary tasks. 

Description: Greet team members and coaches as they arrive. Assist with check-in and distribute event materials.