Ashburn Campus: Renewable-Energy Engineering and the KidWind Challenge

Ashburn Campus: Renewable-Energy Engineering and the KidWind Challenge

Middle & High School | Friday, October 2, 2026 | 8:00–11:00 AM

Falcon Academy is pleased to welcome Dr. Diane Painter from Shenandoah University to our Ashburn campus to introduce middle and high school students to renewable-energy engineering and the KidWind wind and solar energy competition.

During the visit, students will explore how wind turbines are designed and tested, including the role of a wind tunnel in evaluating their performance. They will also learn how solar-energy projects are developed and assessed, connecting scientific principles with engineering decisions.

Dr. Painter will introduce the KidWind Challenge and encourage students to consider how they could develop their own renewable-energy projects. The competition planned for March 2027 at James Madison University offers a goal for students interested in applying their learning beyond the classroom.

The session will also explore connections between renewable energy, sustainability, future studies and STEM careers. It is an opportunity for students to ask questions and discover how testing and improving an idea are central to engineering.

We encourage students to bring their questions about wind power, solar energy and the KidWind Challenge, and families to discuss which areas of engineering interest them most.