Oakley Innovators Power Up at Kansas Kid Wind Challenge in Colby
February 12, 2026
The hum of small turbines and the steady rush of wind filled the student union at Colby Community College on February 12 as students from across the region gathered for the annual Kansas Kid Wind Challenge. The regional event, the second of six scheduled across the state this season, brought together middle and high school teams for a day devoted to engineering, renewable energy, and hands-on problem solving.
Sponsored by the Kansas Corporation Commission, Enel Green Power, ITC Great Plains, Touchstone Energy Cooperative of Kansas, NextEra Energy Resources, Trane Technologies, Wolf Creek Young Generation in Nuclear and hosted in partnership with institutions including Burlington High School, Dodge City Public Schools, Hutchinson Community College, Johnson County Community College and Manhattan Area Technical College, the event reflects a broad statewide investment in STEM education and energy literacy.
Throughout the day, students rotated through turbine practice, a knowledge quiz, performance testing in the wind tunnel, an Instant Challenge, and formal presentations before a judging panel that included representatives from Midwest Energy, Schneider Electric, Colby Community College and Trane. The competition measures not only raw energy production, but also design process, teamwork, documentation and the ability to think on the fly when conditions change.
One of the standout programs in attendance was Oakley, which brought multiple teams across divisions. Coach Morgan Berkgren explained that what began as a classroom physics project has evolved into a culture within the school.
“I start them as eighth graders. We do it as a classroom project and all my eighth graders participate,” Berkgren said, describing how she narrows teams for regional competition. The program’s growth accelerated after an early group advanced to state and then nationals, eventually winning state and competing on the national stage. Since then, participation has steadily increased, with younger students feeding into the high school program.
For some schools, the challenge represents even more than competition. Talisha Sorenson and Principal Jason Owens brought students from the Hanny Arram Center for Success in Kearney, Nebraska, for their first-ever Kid Wind event. Sorenson credited energy educator Dan Whistler for helping launch their program through hands-on summer lessons and continued mentorship.
Owens noted that many of their students face anxiety and other mental health challenges. Simply walking into a gym filled with experienced teams was a victory. “If you told me in August that these kids would be here and as active as they are, I would have said you’re crazy,” Owens said, emphasizing that the real success was resilience and confidence gained through participation.
Industry engagement remains central to the event. ITC Great Plains representatives outlined their role in high-voltage transmission infrastructure and renewable integration, reinforcing the real-world pathways available in energy careers. Students peppered presenters with questions ranging from transmission costs to the future of nuclear and solar power.
At the high school level, innovation was on full display. Returning competitor Maddox Hubert, and his team consisting of Hadlie Younkin, Elliot Bloom, and Jethro Chrisler unveiled a redesigned turbine featuring active blade pitch control, a slip ring system, and extensive 3D-printed components. Bloom explained that while their new blades initially underperformed in testing, diagnostic adjustments were already underway.
“We won state and then went to Worlds,” Bloom said, referencing last year’s fourth-place finish at the international competition. “The only area we were lacking was energy production, so we’ve got to step it up this year”.
The awards ceremony highlighted both excellence and improvement. In the 9–12 division, Spirit Winds of Oakley claimed first place with 53.76 joules in the wind tunnel and a near-perfect judges’ score. Across divisions, teams were recognized for most artistic design, most improved performance, judges’ choice and top overall energy output.
The top two teams in each category earned invitations to the Kansas State Kid Wind Challenge on April 11. From there, qualifying teams will advance to the World Kid Wind competition in Wisconsin during the third week of May.
For Colby Community College and the surrounding region, the event underscores western Kansas’ role in the renewable energy landscape. With Kansas ranking among national leaders in wind generation, students are not only competing — they are preparing to power the future.
As the final certificates were handed out and turbines carefully packed away, one thing was clear: the Kansas Kid Wind Challenge is more than a contest. It is a proving ground for curiosity, grit and innovation, all spinning toward opportunity.