Photo byJorge ZapataonUnsplash

In the vibrant state of North Carolina, where the sweet scent of pine trees fills the air and magnificent mountains frolic with the sky, a peculiar sort of magic swirls around. It's not your regular kind of magic, with wizards, potions, or invisibility cloaks. No, this is the kind of magic that hums and whirs, with the chug-chug of gears and the zap-sizzle of circuit boards. This magic is brought to life by a unique group of kids, known far and wide as the Robo-Rangers of NC. Now, the Robo-Rangers aren't your typical superheroes. They don't wear capes or fly around saving the day. Instead, they sport safety goggles, use screwdrivers as their wands, and cast enchantments on hulking machines. These kids, ranging from tiny tots to towering teens, spend their days buried in blueprints, tangled in wires, and covered in metallic dust. They're the masterminds behind the most incredible, jaw-dropping robots you could ever imagine. The leader of the pack is a quirky, cool character named Gizmo. Gizmo, with his wild hair standing on end like he'd been zapped by lightning and his coat pockets always stuffed with extra gears, is a wiz at robotics. He was six when he built his first robot out of toy blocks and a flashlight. By the time he was ten, he had created a robot that could make the world's best grilled cheese sandwich! Together with the Robo-Rangers, Gizmo and his mechanical marvels have turned North Carolina into the Robot Wonderland of the world. So, if you're ever in NC, and you spot a flying pancake or a roller-skating squirrel, don't be surprised. It's just Gizmo and the Robo-Rangers, sprinkling their robotic magic around!