Mar 07, 2017 09:44 AM EST By Audri Taylors, UniversityHerald Reporter

A group of Streamwood High School students created a winning invention in the form of a small, wind-powered generator that could power a small light. And no matter how small, it is big enough to pay some big dividends for this group.

The wind-powered generator was the winning invention in the competition in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest. The competition aims to encourage teachers and students to solve real issues in the world using the skills in STEM or science, technology, engineering and math, US News reported. Since the group won the state competition, they will also be competing this spring for the 10 national finalist slots with a prize of up to $200,000.

The students began building the generator earlier this year and will stand about 2 feet tall. It will be enough to provide power for a safety light and is an excellent and economical way to light up poorly lit neighborhoods and public spaces, according to Daily Journal.

A senior student of Streamwood, Andrea Geter, 17, said that she feels that it is a real life experience because they had to find a solution to a problem they have identified. She also said that they worked on making something real and amazed at how engineering can solve many problems.

The project itself is a microgeneration project, according to Matt Erbach, who is the mentor of the group and the engineering class teacher. Microgeneration refers to the small scale production of renewable heat and electric power.

Erbah explained that a tiny motor was used as a miniature energy generator and the wind power should be enough to generate enough amount of electricity to power a safety light. It may not be as bright as a street light but something to make it more visible, he explained. He also said that microgeneration is something that is significant in the developing world.

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