To inspire the next generation of explorers, ...as only NASA can.

Robot Challenge

Event Successfully Held April 5, 2008...Click Here For Pictures and  Information

Second Annual Colorado Robot Challenge Video by SLV Dweller

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The next Robotics Challenge will be April 4th, 2009 in Alamosa CO.  Check here for more information.

The Colorado Space Grant Consortium along with Adams State College presents the Robot Challenge at the Great Sand Dunes National Park on April 4, 2009.  Participation in this event is open to all high school and college students.  Please see the links below for more information on this event.

Driving Directions

April 4, 2009
 

The Great Sand Dunes National Park has only one paved entrance; it is on the south side of the park and is accessed via CO 150. All approaches will require you to have gas prior to entering the park!

If you are:

1) Staying in Alamosa on Friday night or coming from Durango -  drive east on US 160 towards Walsenburg for about 16 miles to the intersection (turn lane) with CO 150. Turn north (left); you have no choice. Continue north on CO 150 for 16 miles to the park entrance.

2) Driving directly to the park from Boulder, Ft. Collins, Greeley, etc. - drive south on US 285 over Poncho Pass and through the town of Villa Groves. About 4 miles past Villa Groves, US 285 junctions with CO 17. This is a dangerous intersection so slow down and turn sharply to the left onto CO 17. Continue driving south towards Alamosa through the towns of Moffat and Hooper (gas). Just as you enter Mosca, about 5 miles south of Hooper, you can turn east (left) onto County Rd 6, a well labeled road that gives access to CO 150 just south of the park’s entrance. Watch out for buffalo on this road.

3) Driving directly to the park from Grand Junction or Gunnison,  - you will enter the San Luis Valley at Sagauche. In Sagauche, you will need to go south on US 285 for several miles. As you approach the area where the road was “blasted” through a hill, you will see signs for Moffat. Turn left (east) and follow the county road to Moffat where you join CO 17’s approach to the Dunes described above.

Once inside the Park, you will pass through the entrance station and pass the visitor center on the left. As you pass the visitor center, you will be going up a hill. Near the top of the hill is a parking lot on the right for the Mosca Pass trail. Continue over the hill but be prepared to make a left turn (west) at the next junction. This road leads towards the dunes. The road ends at a parking lot. Park here.

If you arrive late, we are using the area north of this parking lot for our event. Walk towards the dunes for perhaps 50 ft from the trailhead. After this short distance, you will be past the willows and in a creek bed. Turn right and follow the creek bed until you see little robots.

"Thumb Tack B" is the site within the Great Sand Dunes National Park.  Click on the map to move around and zoom.

Google Maps link

**Google Maps directions may be a bit different than those listed above in terms of getting to the area such as which pass to come over to the San Louis Valley, but they will get you to the Event site.

Static picture.

Area Pictures.  Get to know your challenge.  The conditions could well change in the next two weeks.  If, for example, it gets moderately warm, the mountain snow could melt and flood this area.  While many people would be discouraged, we need to remember that a flood was seen by Noah as an opportunity.