Resources from Kidwind
Find challenge resources directly from Kidwind at kidwind.org.
(The information below is pulled from Kidwind.org- not owned by CASE at JMU)
Webinars: Join KidWind as we explore interesting clean energy topics, grow content knowledge, and help broaden your technical knowledge! These webinars are free and open to all KidWinders. Hope to see you online soon!
- Spark Sessions: Join us for our monthly speaker series where we take a deep dive into different energy topics. See description for each month's topic!
- Tinker Time: Join us on the third Wednesday of each month to do a deeper dive into a technical component of designing a wind turbine or solar structure for competition, from blade design to gearboxes
- Preparing for a Kidwind Challenge: Join KidWind for a webinar aimed at helping coaches and educators prepare their students for a KidWind Challenge
Additional Resources:
Challenge Gear
CASE provides a starter kit at no charge to coaches. Coaches may request a kit when filling out our "Save Your Spot" form. This kit includes all the supplies and equipment needed to build a basic wind turbine or solar structure. All students are encouraged to use any resources available to them to improve upon the basic model that can be made with your kit supplies. First time coaches will receive additional materials. If you are interested in purchasing additional gear, you can browse more gear.
Our kits will be shipped in batches. Thank you for your patience in shipment.
What's in a Solar Challenge Kit
- Loads (LED lights, water pump + tray/buzzer/DC motor)
- Switch and DIY Switch Kit
- Multi-meter
- Alligator clips
What's in a Wind Challenge Kit
- KidWind generator
- Hub
- Dowels
- Multi-meter
- Alligator clips
- Pitch protractor
- Resistor
Coach Training
Professional Development
CASE offers educator trainings, classroom visits, and a professional development academy each summary. Read more.
Recorded Online Session:
We encourage our first-time coaches to view one of our recorded informational webinars to learn more about the challenge, the rules, event details, kit resources, and services offered.
Virginia Regional CASE Trainers
CASE is excited to be able to share the expertise of a group of experienced coaches around the state with all Virginia Kidwind Coaches.
Regional CASE Trainers are available across the state. CASE Trainers are experienced KidWind Coaches and are available to answer questions, offer additional training, plan tunnel testing events, and help with needed materials and resources.
Don't see a trainer near you or not sure who to reach out to? Email Kim Ward, ward9km@jmu.edu, to be put in touch with someone available to help!
| Trainer Name | Location/Region | |
| Eric Drongowski | edrongowski@apps.fluco.org | Charlottesville |
| Diane D. Painter | diane.painter@makersmiths.org | Leesburg |
| Kennesha Walker | kmwalker@henrico.k12.va.us | Richmond |
| Linda Doherty | lindatdoherty@gmail.com | Harrisonburg |
| Heather Greer | hgreer@iwcs.k12.va.us | Isle of Wight |
| Adam Shipman | ashipman@iwcs.k12.va.us | Isle of Wight |
| Jeff Schwalm | jschwalm@stab.org | Charlottesville |
Coach Emails
CASE periodically sends emails to Virginia coaches to ensure teams feel prepared, are aware of all of the resources we offer, and have full event logistical details.
It is important for registered coaches to be on this list to receive timely updates on events.
Tunnel Testing
CASE will schedule at least one Tunnel Testing day for teams who do not have regular access to a Kidwind Wind Tunnel. This gives teams a chance to test their blades in the official testing tunnel before the challenge. Dates to be announced.
Consider hosting a local wind tunnel for your region! A retired technology teacher and KidWind veteran put together a guide to building your own wind tunnel. View the guide. In lieu of building your own, you or a sponsor can also purchase a KidWind official tunnel.
Pacing Guide
Review our pacing guide for guidance on preparing your team for the challenge. This guide breaks down 10 sessions with specific lessons to keep your team focused and moving towards the end goal. We hope to take some of the guess work out of planning your team meetings with this helpful guide.
View Wind & Solar Pacing Guide
CASE YouTube Channel
Our CASE YouTube Channel hosts a variety of activity videos, as well as the guidelines videos and recordings of our past workshops and webinars.
First Time Coach Scholarships
First Time Coach Scholarships are distributed to provide support for the resources necessary to make it to a challenge in the spring. All first time coaches that register and attend a regional competition will receive a stipend at the end of the Kidwind season. (Contigent on returning the necessary paperwork on the day of the challenge.)
Our Sponsors
Challenge Partners
