How you can help Allen STEM KidWind Teams
Two teams raising money for trip to compete in World KidWind competition
This week’s episode of That Podcast in Hutch is electrifying!
I’m sure you’ll get a real jolt out of it!
It might be the most shocking episode yet!
OK. Enough with the Dad jokes.
This week’s episode features a couple of standout Allen STEM Magnet School students - and their coach - who are headed to the World KidWind Competition in Madison, Wisconsin after taking tops the Statewide Competition.
You’ll hear Clayton Hatfield, Milo Miller, and coach Keith Gable discuss the work that goes into designing a winning wind turbine, designed to generate the most electricity possible, and all the skills the students learn in the process.
Before we get into that, however, I am going to ask a favor.
Allen STEM Magnet School has two teams headed to the world competition: the Whirlwinds (4th and 5th grade) and the Mavericks (6th-8th grades). Both teams won first place in their division at the state competition and need to raise about $15,000 to cover travel costs for the students and their sponsors. While these students learn a great deal in the KidWind competition, it’s not something covered by normal school expenses.
You can mail a check to to Allen STEM Magnet School: KidWind Team, 403 W 10th Ave, Hutchinson, KS 67501. The Checks can be made out to Allen PTO c/o KidWind Team. Alternately, you can also drop a check off at the Allen office.
They also have a gofundme where the money goes directly to help with these expenses. That’s how I’ll donate this week, and I hope you will too!
As you listen to this episode, I think you’ll find the KidWind competition is a valuable and enriching experience for these students. I was most impressed with they way Clayton and Milo talked about the process of trial and error. As they develop their ideas and plans, they must put those ideas into practice; when they fail, they revise their plans and try again.
Projects like this give students permission to be imperfect. It’s teaching them how to think. How to problem-solve, and how to create. It was such a shining example of what is happening in our education systems—something that often isn’t highlighted as prominently as it should be.
I know you’ll find this episode informative and adorable. And I hope when you listen you’ll also consider supporting our local kids who are looking to do some really big things on a really big stage.
To listen to Clayton, Milo, and Keith, visit Salt City Podcasts or your favorite podcast streaming service.
For more information on KidWind
kansasenergyprogram.org/events/2026-state-kidwind-challenge-salina
For additional questions, contact the school at 620-615-4900