Kansas Corporation Commission
TOPEKA — Thirteen teams, including two from Oakley, have earned the title of KidWind State Champions following a full day of competition in Salina on April 11. In addition, teams placing first or second in their category now have the opportunity to advance to the World KidWind Challenge in Madison, Wisconsin in May.
The road to the state finals wasn’t easy. Each team had to earn their spot based on their performance in one of six regional challenges, which drew a record number of 106 participating teams this year. A total of 35 teams from 25 schools then advanced to the state competition.
The state winners are listed below with team photos by age group and generator type. Teams can use a KidWind generator, build their own generator or compete in the open category which allows custom or multiple generators.
4th-5th Grade KidWind Generator
1st place: Allen STEM Magnet School (Whirlwinds), Hutchinson
2nd place: Prairie Ridge Elementary (Untied Shoelaces), Shawnee
3rd place: Topeka Collegiate School (Topeka Collegiate Team 3), Topeka
6th-8th Grade KidWind Generator
1st place: Allen STEM Magnet School (Mavericks), Hutchinson
2nd place: Nemaha Central Elementary/Middle School (WINders), Seneca
3rd place: Paola Middle School (Solar Flares), Paola
6th-8th Grade Homebuilt Generator
Kepley Middle School (Wind Warriors), Ulysses
6th-8th Grade Open Generator
Oakley Middle School (Twister Sisters), Oakley
9th-12th KidWind Generator
1st place: Inman High School (Trade Winds), Inman
2nd place: Inman High School (Wonderful Winders), Inman
3rd place: Paola High School (Torus), Paola
9th-12th Homebuilt Generator
Burlington High School (Burlington Wind Company – Yin Yang), Burlington
9th-12th Open Generator
Oakley High School (Spirit Winds), Oakley
KidWind State Winners Poster 2026
KidWind Background
The KidWind Challenge takes place each spring and is open to students in grades 4-12. Teams comprised of approximately 3-5 students build a turbine before attending a regional KidWind Challenge event where they compete against other teams. Teams are judged on a number of factors, including energy production, design, and knowledge of energy basics. The regional winners advance to the KidWind state competition where the top teams are selected to represent Kansas at KidWind Worlds. Teams can come from public schools, private schools, home schools, or after-school clubs.
KidWind isn’t just about wind energy. It’s more about STEM and all the life skills that derive from the practical application of STEM in our daily lives – problem solving, teamwork, and scientific measurement, to name a few. 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.