After strong performances at the FIRST Tech Challenge South Carolina State Championship 2026 on Feb. 27–28, the Hurricanes and Cyclones robotics teams from Orange Grove Charter School have qualified for the FIRST Tech Challenge European Premier Event 2026 in Eindhoven, Netherlands, this June.
The teams will represent Orange Grove and Charleston while competing against 94 teams from around the world. The teams include Orange Grove middle school students and high school students who are Orange Grove alumni.
In the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), teams design, build, program and operate robots to compete in head-to-head matches. Guided by coaches and mentors, students develop STEM skills while learning the value of teamwork, innovation and problem-solving.
This season’s FTC game, Decode, includes more than 109,000 students from 81 countries competing worldwide. Teams must design robots capable of collecting 5½-inch “artifacts” and launching them into goals. Robots can also use cameras and sensors to recognize motifs and launch artifacts in a specific color order to earn additional points.
At the state championship, the Hurricanes earned the third-place Inspire Award, which recognizes the top all-around team across categories including robot design, engineering process, innovation, outreach and sensor control. The Cyclones were third-place alliance semifinalists and previously won the Design Award at the FIRST Tech Challenge Lowcountry Qualifier.
“Robotics has changed my life, and it is really cool that my passion, robotics, is meeting my dream of going to Europe,” said team member Miriam Hopkins.
In June, 13 students, three coaches and mentors will travel with their robots to Amsterdam before heading to Eindhoven for the competition, held June 17–20, 2026. Students will also attend an innovation fair featuring some of Europe’s leading technology companies.
“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.”
The Orange Grove Robotics teams are currently fundraising to help cover travel costs. Donations or company sponsorships can be made through the Orange Grove Charter School website; please include “ROBOTICS” in the comment. https://ogcs.revtrak.net/