On Oct. 5, 2011, millions of young people across the nation will become scientists for the day during the fourth annual 4-H National Youth Science Day (NYSD). This year's national experiment, Wired for Wind, is a three-tiered experiment designed to help young people enhance their science, engineering, technology and applied math skills by building their own wind turbines. They'll be able to test different variables such as location, speed, height, blade pitch angles, and so on, then report back to their communities about the best location for a local wind farm.

It's a fun experiment and one which can help your kids learn about renewable energy, community planning, environmental awareness and some basic information about the way the world works. It's also a sneaky way to get your kids worked up and interested in math and science, and a great outdoor family activity.

If your kids want to participate, go to the 4-H NYSD website and register, then ordewr the wind turbine kit, which includes step-by-step instructions and the following items:

• 2 Generators w/ 4' wires attached
• 2 KidWind Hubs & Hub Screws
• 2 KidWind Blade Pitch Protractors
• 50 Dowels
• 2 PVC Ts
• 2 6" PVC Pieces
• 1 Digital Multimeter
• 2 Alligator Clip Cords
• 1 Wired for Wind Facilitator Guide
• 5 Wired for Wind Youth Guides

Each kit provides enough material for about ten kids to participate, so you can make it a block or classroom project, too. The organization suggests that you order the kits at least two weeks in advance of the event.