This past October, millions of young people across the nation became scientists for the day during the fourth annual 4-H National Youth Science Day. As part of 4-H NYSD, the youths participated in Wired for Wind: the 2011 National Science Experiment. Designed by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension and conducted in partnership with KidWind, the 2011 National Science Experiment demonstrated how young people can implement alternatives to traditional energy production and have a positive impact on their communities and ecosystems. 4-H youth enhanced their engineering skills by designing, building, and testing two different wind-turbine models. Wired for Wind will also help young people relate their scientific experiences back to their own lives as they determine the best location for a wind farm in their state or local area by calculating wind power and studying wind data and maps.
