Registration for the 2012 Maine Wind Blade Challenge is now open, and students are encouraged to sign up for the competition that challenges them to design wind blades and work with composites professionals to perfect the finished product.
The competition takes place on April 27, 2012, at the University of Maine in Orono.
The Maine Wind Blade Challenge is a program developed by the Maine Composites Alliance (MCA) and Maine Wind Industry Initiative (MWII) to inspire today’s high school students — the next generation workforce — to explore alternative energy and advanced materials, while participating in hands-on applications of math, science and engineering.
In 2011, the competition included 40 teams and 227 students. Teams traveled to the event in Orono from all over Maine: including Sanford, Eastport and Presque Isle.
In preparation for the 2012 competition, teams of student participants will work between December and April on the design and construction of their wind blades. Schools will be assigned partners with a Maine composites manufacturing business to complete the composite production of the blades.
For more information and a registration form, please contact Stacey Palmer with the Maine Composites Alliance: wbc@mainecompositesalliance.org. Information is also available on the Maine Wind Blade Challenge website at http://mainewindbladechallenge.com/.