Coachella, CA
Kidwind World Challenge
Grant Amount
$11,517
Year Awarded
2025-2026
Project Coordinator
Ricardo Gonzales
Grant Type
Team
Local Association
Coachella Valley Teachers Association
Focus Area
Science Technology Engineering, and Math
About the Project
This grant supports the development of the KidWind World Challenge Club at Valley View Elementary School by providing tools, materials, and a wind tunnel to enhance student learning in renewable energy and engineering. Through this project, students will work in teams to design, build, test, and refine wind turbines using data analysis and real-time feedback from wind tunnel testing. They will also create team shirts and tumblers, prepare presentations showcasing their engineering process, and compete in local, regional, and potentially world-level KidWind events. The project fosters collaboration, critical thinking, and leadership while expanding STEM access to all students through hands-on, project-based learning that connects directly to real-world sustainability challenges.
Meet the Project Coordinator
Ricardo Gonzales
Ricardo Gonzales is a veteran educator with 26 years of teaching experience and 5 years in school administration. He currently teaches sixth-grade mathematics and science, where he integrates hands-on learning and STEM principles to foster student engagement and achievement. For the past two years, Mr. Gonzales has served as a KidWind educator, mentoring student teams in renewable energy design and engineering. Under his guidance, two teams have qualified for and competed in the World KidWind Challenge in consecutive years—a testament to his commitment to excellence and innovation in STEM education.Now entering his third year with KidWind, Mr. Gonzales is focused on advancing his students’ technical skills and design capabilities to compete at the highest level. With the right resources and support, he aims to elevate their wind turbine projects and empower his students to become future leaders in sustainable technology.
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