UPDATE: Kyle White from Sturgis was our Arduino Uno Project Super Starter Kit winner!

UPDATE: Here is a video article from KOTA TV

UPDATE: Unfortunately, many of the other robotics programs we invited to setup a booth aren't able to attend. But this was our first try, and we're building momentum, so fingers crossed for next time. (School of Mines has shown interest in hosting the next one).

UPDATE: The schedule is now built for those that signed up early, you can still purchase tickets here, but you won't get your time slot til you check in.

UPDATE: An anonymous sponsor is paying for half of the fee for the first 50 students, use promo code ROBOTS_50. This same sponsor has also committed to fully funding 3 new teams (that is up to $5,000 to fully fund your first competition season, with a field, game elements, competition kit, and registration fees). Come check out competitive robotics at the Black Hills Robo Rally!

Fun Competition open to all 5th through 12 graders interested in learning more about competitive robotics in the Black Hills area.

You can get hands on Driving, Building, and Coding, no experience necessary.

$10 - Robo Driver - 30 minutes

You'll be assigned a 30 minute slot with 4 drivers. You'll get a 5 to 10 minute introduction to the course, the robot and the controller. You'll then get 3 to 5 chances at driving the course to score as many points as you can. This is very approachable at any skill level and we expect this to be very popular.

Limit 5 tickets per student.

$20 - Robo Builder - 60 minutes

You'll be assigned a 60 minute slot with 4 builders and 2 - 4 student mentors from competition teams in our area. You'll start with a speed bot similar to Robo Driver and now is your chance to make the speed bot even better. You'll have an opportunity to try out different wheels, motor speeds, and making the robot better at manipulating the game element to arrive at an even better score. Your friends that did only Robo Driver will be jealous of your high score! You'll get up to 3 chances to drive the course with your improved robot.

Limit 2 tickets per student.

$20 - Robo Coder - 60 minutes

You'll be assigned a 60 minute slot with 4 coders and 2 - 4 student mentors from competition teams in our area. You'll start with a speed bot similar to Robo Driver, but you can get into the code to make it go through the course autonomously. You will have the opportunity to code in Block Coding which is approachable at any skill level or text coding with Python or C++ (if you already have experience with those languages)

Limit 2 tickets per student.

$5 - Spectators - all day

Stop in and watch the kids Drive, Build, and Code.

We've also invited other robotics groups to setup a booth so its a great opportunity to see robotics in the area

First Lego League
Rapid Acceleration (Rapid City's FRC team)
Douglas Robotics (Douglas MS and HS VRC)
Spartan Robotics (Spearfish MS and HS VRC)
Black Hills Robotics Foundation (501c3 supporting and creating competitive robotics teams throughout the Black Hills)
Mines Vex-U Robotics
Mines RoBoat Robotics
Mines Moonrockers
Mines Rocker Robotics
Mines Unmanned Aerial Systems
The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation showing some of their associated programs:
VEX V5 Robotics Competitions, VEX IQ Robotics Competition, Aerial Drones Competition, and Factory Automation Competition.

All students who participate in Robo Driver, Robo Builder, Robo Coder will be entered to win an Arduino Uno Project Super Starter Kit!

Common Questions

My student is doing one of the competitions, do they also need to be a spectator?

No. Everyone will need a ticket to get in, but their ticket will also give them access to hang out and watch as long as they want.

Will there be food / concessions?

Yes. We intend to have pizza and other concession items from 11 - 1.

Do I have to purchase my ticket in advance?

No. You can purchase tickets at the event, but no guarantee there will be any left, especially for Robo Builder and Robo Coders.

It is at the Spearfish Middle School, does that mean I have to go school in Spearfish to attend?

No. Spearfish is hosting the event as outreach and to increase awareness. They are hopeful to see students from all over the Black Hills, especially those that don't have their own teams but are curious to explore creating one (like Spearfish did just 2 years ago).

I purchased a ticket online, when will I know which time slot my student gets?

We will publish the schedule September 12th at 9am. There will be a link to it from here.

How long should I plan on attending?

I would plan for one to three hours, so you have time to see the different activities that are going on and checking out the different booths showcasing competitive robotics throughout the black hills.

My student had a blast, what else can they do?

Email jon.nelson@blackhillsrobotics.org and let me know your student's age and what town you're in - I can help point you in the right direction from there.

My student wants to participate but we cannot afford the fee, can we get a discount?

Email jon.nelson@blackhillsrobotics.org along with a statement about your financial hardship and which tickets you want. That statement will be shared with select donors and companies in the Black Hills to find you a sponsor.

I have competed in robotics in the past, can I compete at the Black Hills Robot Rally?

Students that have competed in FLL or Vex IQ are highly encouraged to participate.

Students that have competed in tournaments as part of a VRC, FTC, or FRC team cannot compete. These students are great candidates to be mentors and should email jon.nelson@blackhillsrobotics.org to volunteer.

My student is currently a 4th grader, but will be a 5th grader when the event happens in September, can they participate?

Yes. It is open to 5th through 12th grade students for the 2025/2026 school year.

I am a captain of a competition team, can I use this event to scout for new talent?

Yes, definitely. All Robo Builder, Driver, and Coders will have color coded name tags so you know which students are candidate for your program.

How do I sign up?

Click Buy Tickets above.

What is the refund policy?

There are no refunds. If you cannot make the event, you could give your ticket to someone else, just send them with a print out of your receipt and a note from you stating that you are transferring your ticket to the student that can attend.

If I participate in more than one activity, do I have more than one chance to win the Arduino Uno?

Yes, every ticket for Driver, Builder, or Coder is another entry.

Do I need to be present to win the Arduino Uno?

No, we will call your phone number after the event to arrange pickup if you're not present.

Other questions or concerns, please contact jon.nelson@blackhillsrobotics.org

Black Hills Robo Rally

By Black Hills Robotics Foundation, Inc

Black Hills Robo Rally