MyCity Event: Hands-On Learning with the Bronco Wind Team

MyCity is an exciting annual event led by Western Michigan University's Bronco Wind Team. This interactive program is designed to inspire and engage students from Kalamazoo schools in the field of renewable energy.

Participants will have the opportunity to assemble and test their own small wind turbine blades. Using supplies provided on-site, students will design their blades, attach them to a hub assembly with hot glue and measure their turbine’s voltage output. The top three teams with the highest scores will win exciting prizes!

MyCity is more than just a competition—it's a celebration of innovation and sustainability.

The Collegiate Wind Competition (CWC)

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) established the Collegiate Wind Competition (CWC) in 2014. This initiative challenges interdisciplinary teams of undergraduate and graduate students to:

• Develop, construct and present a creative wind-powered system based on market research, and evaluate its performance in an on-site wind tunnel.
• Examine wind resource data, transmission systems and environmental considerations to design a site plan and financial strategy for a theoretical wind farm.
• Engage with wind energy professionals, promote wind energy awareness within their communities and collaborate with local media to showcase their team’s successes.

Participation in the competition connects students and schools with wind energy experts and industry leaders, enriching educational experiences and fostering strong professional networks.

Bronco Wind Team and KVCC installs Wind Turbine at the Parkview Campus

Western Michigan University has revitalized a wind turbine near its engineering building, supported by a REpowering Schools grant and collaboration with Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The project, led by the Bronco Wind Team, aims to enhance sustainability education and prepare students for careers in renewable energy. By combining the turbine with existing solar arrays, the University plans to introduce a sustainable energy generation certificate program, offering students valuable hands-on experience and research opportunities in this growing field.