A new program designed to incorporate wind energy topics into middle and high school classrooms is slated to begin during the 2012-2013 school year. Illinois Wind for Schools is an initiative sponsored through a partnership with the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University, the Western Illinois University Department of Engineering Technology, the Center for Renewable Energy at Illinois State University, and the College of Education at Illinois State University.

The program will offer curriculum development resources, teacher professional development, on-site technical assistance, and instructional equipment to middle school and high school teachers across the state. All training, curriculum, and equipment will be offered at no charge to schools selected for the program. Applications and guidelines are available at the Illinois Wind for Schools website. Schools selected for the program will be notified by April 2. Although Illinois is not one of the official 11 DOE-funded Wind for Schools project states, it is eligible to take advantage of the Wind for Schools Affiliate Project.