STEM Launch students work with wind energy innovation

STEM Launch Students Go Global with Wind Energy Innovation

Thornton, CO — May 2025

What happens when you give students a real-world challenge, the tools to solve it, and the belief that they can? At STEM Launch K-8, the answer is: they soar — all the way to the world stage.

This spring, all 4th and 8th grade engineering students at STEM Launch participated in an ambitious schoolwide Problem-Based Learning (PBL) unit centered on wind energy. The unit, anchored by the KidWind Challenge, tasked students with designing and testing their own functional wind turbines to address the real-world need for renewable energy solutions.

The journey began with a school-hosted semi-regional event, where more than 50 student teams competed with their original turbine designs. Based on performance, innovation, and their ability to explain the science behind their work, five 4th grade teams, five 8th grade teams, and one 5th grade team earned the right to represent STEM Launch at the Colorado State KidWind Challenge.

At state, STEM Launch students made history by sweeping the entire podium in the elementary division, taking 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place — a rare and impressive accomplishment. The 8th grade teams were equally outstanding, with one team earning 2nd place statewide in the middle school division.

These results qualified three teams — two 4th grade and one 8th grade — for the KidWind World Finals in Phoenix, Arizona, where students from across the nation and globe gathered to showcase their work and celebrate renewable energy innovation.

While in Phoenix, students participated in hands-on workshops, connected with energy professionals, and attended a national renewable energy conference — gaining insight into future careers and the power of clean energy.

At the World Finals, STEM Launch once again stood out:

🌟 The Power Pals, a 4th grade team attending their first-ever national competition, were awarded KidWind’s Rookie of the Year, an honor given to a team that shows outstanding promise, innovation, and teamwork.

⚙️ The 8th grade team ranked among the top in the middle school division, competing with professionalism and technical expertise on a global stage.

“Our students went from testing turbines in a classroom to presenting their work to experts from across the world,” said Felicia Evans, K-8 STEM Coordinator. “They didn’t just meet expectations — they blew them away. It’s proof that when you give students real problems, they rise to the challenge.”

The KidWind journey is a shining example of what makes STEM Launch unique: authentic, industry-connected learning that empowers students to think critically, work collaboratively, and make a real-world impact.

From sweeping the podium at state to earning global recognition, STEM Launch students have proven that the future of clean energy — and engineering — is already in very good hands.

A special thanks to NextEra Energy Resources for helping fund the trip to the World Competition.

Special thanks to the STEM Launch community for submitting this Five Star Story.

This story exemplifies our ELEVATE Focus Area: Outside-the-Classroom Learning. Sharing stories about how the district offers students multiple learning opportunities outside the traditional classroom providing various pathways to success.