Northern Virginia KidWind Challenge Held at Shenandoah

Twenty-four teams (over one hundred elementary through high school youth) competed in the Northern Virginia KidWind Challenge at Shenandoah University in the Brandt Student Center on March 14. The entire event was hosted by Visiting Associate Professor of Education Studies Diane Painter, Ph.D., from Shenandoah’s Division of Education and Leadership (DEL) in partnership with Remy Pangle, director of education and outreach at the Center for the Advancement of Sustainable Energy (CASE) at James Madison University.

Teams displayed their wind turbine projects or solar-run structures and explained to judges from solar and wind energy industries the processes they took to create their projects. Team members also took a Kahoot quiz to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of renewable energy initiatives. Teams were scored on their innovation and creativity, their projects’ performance generating energy, their performance on the knowledge quiz, and their delivery of their projects to the judges.  All first- and second-place winners automatically qualify to compete in the Virginia State KidWind Challenge on April 6, 2024 at James Madison University.

During the day, some parents, KidWind coaches and their team members took a solar roof tour of the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletic and Events Center, led by Barry Schnoor, director of Physical Plant at  Shenandoah University. He explained that Shenandoah boasts the largest rooftop solar power system of any Virginia college or university. Learn more at www.su.edu/green/rooftop-solar-power-system. 

The keynote speaker for this KidWind event was the former mayor of Purcellville, Virginia, Kwasi Fraser, who currently serves on the Virginia Clean Energy Advisory Board as an appointee of Governor Glenn Youngkin, and is working to address complex environmental challenges. After the event, Fraser posted on LinkedIn:

“It was a privilege to deliver the keynote address at the Northern Virginia renewable energy challenge, hosted by Shenandoah University. Witnessing the remarkable solar and wind projects presented by our youth left me inspired and optimistic about the future of sustainable energy. As we confront today’s energy complexities, this emerging generation exemplifies dedication and ingenuity and crafting viable solutions. I called them Solution Gen and they are the architects of our sustainable future.”