MONROE, LA – The University of Louisiana Monroe hosted the 2nd Annual KidWind Challenge in Louisiana on Friday, January 24, 2025, at Bayou Pointe Event Center. The event empowers students and educators to explore and engage with the challenges and opportunities of a clean-powered future.
Doubling in size from last year, over 120 area middle school and high school students participated in this unique STEM competition, which awarded cash prizes to the winners. Student teams designed, constructed, and tested small-scale wind turbines and solar structures to learn more about and gain hands-on exposure to the science behind renewable energy, specifically wind power. The winning teams were invited to the KidWind World Challenge in Phoenix, Arizona, and provided with travel stipends by event sponsor Pattern Energy.
The STEM Collective for Innovative LA Stakeholders (SCILS) Region 8 LA STEM Center partnered with ULM to bring back this dynamic learning activity. Cathi Cox Boniol, Director of the Region 8 La STEM Center, discussed the event. “KidWind is an example of the ‘perfect storm’ for an initiative. You have an incredible partner like ULM and fantastic sponsors like KidWind and Pattern Energy. Then you have amazing teachers who engage and inspire their students to step out of their comfort zones to achieve something they never considered before,” said Cox Boniol. “SCILS is proud to be a partner of this challenge and a leader throughout the state in advancing education in clean energy and the subsequent career pathways available to our students. It is a wildly fun experience where everyone involved has more fun than they could have imagined,” she added.
Carrifrances Alexander, a Cedar Creek teacher, was enthused about the event. “KidWind is one of the most authentic experiences my students have the opportunity to participate in. KidWind pairs seamlessly with my AP Environmental Science curriculum and gives my students hands-on experience in the area of renewable energy. They become immersed in the research, design, and development of wind turbines. I cannot think of a better way to allow my students to explore and discover the science and importance of renewable energy,” said Alexander.
ULM administration and faculty were excited to host for the second year. Dr. Mark Arant, ULM Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, explained, “The challenges in meeting society's needs are never-ending. The KidWind Challenge connects real-world problems with innovative thinkers, setting in motion a life of learning and exploration for the benefit of present and future generations,” said Arant. Dr. Anne Case-Hanks, Director of ULM’s School of Sciences, concurred. “The KidWind Challenge encourages students to embrace engineering design. It is amazing to see these students grow in creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills,” she said.
KidWind Challenge founder and director, Michael Arquin, was encouraged by the expansion of the program into Louisiana. “KidWind is astounded and amazed at the growth and success of our programming in Monroe and the surrounding region. We thank the team at ULM for their hard work, Pattern Energy for their support, and the teachers and students for the passion and energy they bring to this project.”
Challenge instructor, Andy Lueth, was particularly struck by one participant. “Every so often, if you are lucky, you meet someone who inspires you. Today inspiration came from a dynamo of a young lady, Maya, a sixth grader, who showed up to the challenge ready to take on all comers. While she was leading the competition, she helped a strong team get better, and they ended up winning. Instead of showing disappointment, Maya smiled because she had the chance to help someone. Her attitude inspired joy in everyone involved,” said Lueth
Pattern Energy’s Director of Project Development, Adam Renz, said “Pattern and the entire Southern Spirit team are thrilled to be celebrating our second year of partnering with ULM and KidWind on hosting the Louisiana KidWind Challenge. The passion and smarts of the youth of Northeast Louisiana are overwhelming, and we are excited to have another local team make it to the National Championship Challenge this year.”
For more information about KidWind Challenge, please visit https://kidwind.org/about/