OC Teenagers Are Building Robots, You've Been Warned

A rookie team of teenagers called Code Orange have turned an OC garage into a robot-building headquarters, reports the OC Register. Their logo, a robot next to a surfboard, unites members of the Dana Point-based club who are currently planning a robot for the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics competition.Last summer the team built its first robot, taking on all parts of development from programming to metal cutting. The team has so far recruited Industrial Metal Supply and JC Penney as sponsors. There are four high-school based teams in Orange County but Code Orange is a community group, accepting members from several OC cities, many of whom are home-schooled.

Some team members had experience building robots in their, um, youth. "Cailin Helmick, 16, of Mission Viejo and Nathan Landino, 17, of Ladera Ranch both grew up building Lego robots. Helmick, one of two girls on the team, said she has long liked learning about science and technology, but building Lego robots a few years ago bolstered her interest," reports the OC Register.