ORANGE GROVE ROBOTICS
Our School
Orange Grove Charter School serves over 1,100 preschool through eighth grade students across two campuses in the West Ashley area of Charleston. With a long-standing record of academic excellence and a family-like atmosphere, Orange Grove has become one of the most sought after schools in the area. We welcome you to come visit us and see firsthand all that the students and staff are achieving daily at The Grove.
505-B Arlington Dr.
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 852-7929
michelle_comen@orangegrovecharter.com
FIRST Lego League
Friendly competition is at the heart of FLL, as teams of students in grades 6-8 engage in research, problem-solving, coding, engineering, building, and programming a LEGO robot that navigates the missions of a robot game. As part of FLL Challenge, teams also participate in an Innovation Project to identify and solve a relevant real-world problem. Teams compete at multiple scrimmages and a regional qualifier in hopes of advancing to the State Championship and the World Championship.
FIRST Tech Challenge
FTC teams design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge using an alliance format. Students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles, innovate, and work together as a team all while realizing the value of hard work. Teams compete at multiple scrimmages and a regional qualifier in hopes of advancing to the State and the World Championship. More importantly, our teams are more than robots. Throughout the season we also learn Business Planning, Public Speaking, and Gracious Professionalism.
Our Teams
Orange Grove Robotics is made up of two FLL and three FTC teams. Team members are current Orange Grove Charter School students and alumni. OG Robotics started in 2018 as an FLL team, “The Hurricanes”, and added FTC team 18984 two years later. OG Robotics success skyrocketed after FTC team 18984 won their first South Carolina State Championship Inspire Award in the 2022-2023 season and attended the FIRST World Championship, in Houston, TX. Following that season, we expanded to add additional teams, FLL and FTC Cyclones. FTC 18948 won a second SC Championship Inspire Award in the 2023-2024 season and was able to return to the FIRST World Championship. We now refer to our coaches and parents as “Storm Chasers.”
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology. Based in Manchester, NH, the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.
FIRST is significantly more than robots! FIRST participation is proven to encourage students to pursue education and careers in STEM-related fields, inspire them to become leaders and innovators, and enhance their 21st-century work-life skills.
The mission of FIRST is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills, that inspire innovation and foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership. Visit www.firstinspires.org for more information on FIRST.
Our Sponsors
Thank you to our supporters who make these teams possible!
FLL Team 40480 Hurricanes
Awards
2018 East Championship Rising Star Award
2020 Storm the Citadel 1st Place LEGO Robotics Golf, Lego Robotics Mystery, Judges Choice Award, 3rd Place Bridge Building
2021-2022 Core Value Award
2023-2024 Ace Basin Qualifier 2nd Place Robot Performance, 1st Place Robot Design
FLL Team 61561 Cyclones
Awards
2023-2024 Lowcountry Qualifier 2nd Place Robot Design
2023 Storm the Citadel 1st and 2nd Place Bridge Architectural Design Award
FTC Team 18984 Hurricanes
Awards
2020-2021 Judges Choice Award
2012-2022 Innovation Award
2022-2023 Regional Compass Award, SC Promote Award, and SC Inspire Award
2023-2024 Pit Design Award, Regional Alliance Captain and SC Inspire Award, Dean’s List Award
FTC Team 23816 Cyclones
FTC Team 25970 Typhoons
Coming Soon!
Outreach
Our teams are ambassadors for FIRST Robotics and for the future of STEM!
Dominion Energy Innovation Center
Liberty Hill STEM Festival
Bots and Books at Keith Sumney Library
Vuelta de la Escuala
STEM Day at the Capitol
STEMapaloosa
Charleston County
Council Demonstration
Mentoring new Teams
STEM Night St. Andrews Math and Science
Refereeing FLL Events