MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – The World KidWind Competition brought more than 500 students from around the globe to UW Madison today to take on clean-energy challenges.

Students from 4th grade through 12th grade competed in events ranging from solar home design to wind-tunnel testing.

Organizers say KidWind gives kids hands-on renewable energy skills, helping them better understand and fight the impacts of climate change.

One team from South Carolina representing Virginia drew on personal experience, including life in a trailer home. They built a solar-powered trailer park model, hoping to reduce stigma and spotlight the realities families like theirs face every day.

“You really see that your voice can be amplified like when we talk to these judges I truly feel heard. I feel represented doing projects like this,” said Josiah Ausby, a member of the Solar Superstars team representing Virginia. “I’ve come from a trailer home, some of our team members have, so it feels surreal that people are actually listening to the story that we have to tell.”

Organizers say the competition helps prepare the next generation of innovators in renewable energy.

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