Orange Grove students to represent Charleston in the Netherlands this month
from Staff Reports
A group of West Ashley students is taking their talents overseas this month, representing Charleston on an international stage in one of the world’s fastest-growing STEM competitions.
After standout performances at the South Carolina state level earlier this year, robotics teams from Orange Grove Charter School have qualified for the FIRST Tech Challenge European Premier Event, set for June 17–20 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The trip marks a major milestone for the school’s robotics program—and a rare opportunity for local students to compete against teams from around the globe.
The two teams, known as the Hurricanes and Cyclones, will join 94 other teams representing countries from across Europe, Asia, and beyond. Their journey begins with travel to Amsterdam before heading to the competition site in Eindhoven.
In the FIRST Tech Challenge, students design, build, and program robots to compete in fast-paced, head-to-head matches. The program emphasizes not only engineering and coding skills, but also teamwork, communication, and creative problem-solving—qualities that have helped Orange Grove’s teams stand out.
This year’s game, called “Decode,” challenged teams to build robots capable of collecting small “artifacts” and launching them into scoring areas. More advanced designs incorporate cameras and sensors that allow robots to recognize patterns and complete tasks in a specific sequence for additional points.
Orange Grove’s Hurricanes team recently earned the third-place Inspire Award at the state championship, one of the competition’s highest honors, recognizing excellence across multiple categories, including robot design, innovation, and community outreach. The Cyclones also delivered a strong showing, finishing as third-place Alliance Semi-Finalists and previously capturing a Design Award at a regional qualifier.
For the students involved, the upcoming trip is about more than competition.
“Robotics has changed my life, and it is really cool that my passion is meeting my dream of going to Europe,” said team member Miriam Hopkins.
That blend of academic challenge and real-world opportunity is part of what has fueled the program’s growth. The teams include both current Orange Grove middle school students and high school students who began their robotics experience at the West Ashley campus, creating a pipeline that continues to build year after year.
In addition to the competition, students will have the chance to attend an international innovation fair featuring leading European technology companies—offering a glimpse into future careers and industries that many are already beginning to explore.
“Robotics with my team is a new adventure every day,” said team member Zoey Smalls. “Seeing all of our hard work and dedication finally paying off is such an incredible and rewarding feeling.”
Before they can take that next step, however, there is still work to be done here at home.
The teams have been raising funds to help cover the cost of international travel, equipment transport, and lodging. Community members and local businesses interested in supporting the effort can make donations through the school’s website, with proceeds going directly toward helping the students make the trip.
