As we focus on the ins and outs of the wind industry every day, the vivid imagination of a child can often help us see familiar concepts in a whole new light. We hoped to capture some of that innovative thinking and creativity in this year’s #PowerOfWind school video competition. And boy, were we impressed by the results!
Hundreds of students from schools across the country submitted videos throughout the fall, describing what they know about wind power, why it’s important, and how they would use it if they could harness all the wind in the world. Schools shared their submissions via social media, helping spark discussion around potential applications of wind energy among communities and families.
Judges had a difficult task selecting a winner as future engineers proposed projects using wind to do almost anything, from creating homework to chocolate teddy bears. We also saw how schools are helping foster STEM education by incorporating wind energy into multiple areas of their classroom curricula. We even saw some incredible dance moves and musical talent.
After much deliberation, our judges have announced that Van Wert Elementary School in Ohio, near the Blue Creek Wind Farm, is this year’s winner of the #PowerOfWind contest. The Van Wert class created an imaginative musical starring local “wind techs” and smart zoo animals who explain the benefits of wind power. There’s even an original song and dance celebrating the turbines in Van Wert.
As the grand prize winner, Van Wert Elementary, will receive a $2,500 energy education grant from Iberdrola Renewables. Every school that participated will also receive a KidWind® advanced wind experiment classroom pack that allows students to discover advanced aspects of wind turbine technology and test different blade designs, gear ratios and generators.
Congratulations to Van Wert Elementary and to all of our schools who participated this year and thank you to the teachers and parents who make clean energy education a priority for today’s students. Watch the winning video here: