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Darlington Kidwind teams compete at national challenge
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Teams set up their work areas and wait to test their turbines in the wind tunnel.

BOULDER, COLORADO — Two Darlington KidWind teams participated at the 8th Annual National KidWind Challenge at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado, May 14-17. Eighty-two teams from throughout the United States competed in three divisions — 4th-5th grade, 6th-8th grade and 9th-12th grade. There were also 10 teams in a collegiate division. 

The qualifying teams design, construct and test their small-scale turbines. The Wind Turbine Challenge is an excellent opportunity for students with an interest in engineering, electricity, and alternative energy. The goal is to see how much electricity their turbine can generate when placed in the wind tunnel. Blade design, blade pitch and gear ratios are all key factors. 

Another part of the competition is a presentation to a panel of judges explaining the turbine design and the build process. 

Darlington had a 6th grade team in the middle school division which included Henry Curry, Elliot Meylor, Tanner Boatman and Knox Reichling. The 9-12 division team consisted of Zach Daley and Pedro McComish.