MONTE VISTA—The San Luis Valley 4-H Robotics program is hosting the second annual RoboRAVE Colorado robotics competition on Saturday, April 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Monte Vista High School in Monte Vista. This contest is open to all Colorado youth robotics teams. Participants can compete for prizes in four different events and three age divisions.

“We started this event because we wanted Valley youth working in robotics to have a low-cost opportunity to compete close to home,” said Amy Henschen, event director and 4-H Youth Development Agent with Colorado State University Extension. “Our inaugural event was a success last year, and we’re excited to move to a bigger space and expand the contest for 2017.”

At the event, teams will have the opportunity to again compete in the a-MAZE-ing Challenge, Jousting Challenge and Line Following Challenge. In addition, they can enter a new event, the Mountain Climb Challenge.

The a-MAZE-ing Challenge, requires robots to navigate an elevated maze without using any sensors. The Jousting Challenge is a head-to-head contest to see which robot can knock their opponent’s water bottle “knight” off first. The Line Following Challenge requires participants to build a robot that can follow a line to deliver a ping pong ball payload. The Mountain Climb Challenge features a “mountain” with a 60 degree incline. Teams build robots that can summit the mountain and plant a flag on top.

RoboRAVE is open to youth ages 8 to 18 who are members of Colorado 4-H, community, or school teams that use robotics platforms that cost less than $1500. Teams compete in the division of their oldest team member. There is a $5 per child cost to participate. Prizes will be awarded for the top teams in each contest and age division.

Teams should bring a laptop, with programming software, their robot, and robotics kit to the event. Groups will have time to practice and troubleshoot at the event before they begin scoring. Detailed information on all of the contest rules, as well as a registration form, is available on the event website at http://tinyurl.com/RoboRaveColorado. Registration for the event closes on March 17. The general public is invited to attend the event as spectators.

“We’re very excited to see the energy and creativity local youth will bring to this contest,” said Henschen. “The event will be a great opportunity for them to have fun and gain recognition for the hard work they’ve put in this year.”

RoboRAVE Colorado is a partnership between Colorado State University Extension, RoboRAVE International, and the Monte Vista School District. The event is made possible by volunteers, as well as financial support from local sponsors, including the Trinidad State Educational Foundation and the San Luis Valley 4-H Foundation. If you are interested in volunteering at the event or sponsoring the event, contact the event director, Amy Henschen, at 719-852-7381 or [email protected].

For more information on RoboRAVE Colorado or the 4-H youth development program, visit the San Luis Valley website at http://sanluisvalley.colostate.edu. 4-H is a cooperative effort between Colorado State University Extension and Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande and Saguache counties. Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.