The founding of Team 1557 was through the determined efforts of a small group with prior experience with FIRST Robotics. Businessman Lee Johnson was a 2002 Florida Regional judge. He saw “hundreds of kids whipped into a frenzy over math, science and technology” and wanted students in Lake County to have an opportunity to participate. Dave Owen, a Walt Disney World Engineering Manager, observed FRC Nationals at Epcot and was hooked. Dave and his son Ryan became involved with an Osceola County Team, but the family wanted to bring FIRST to Ryan’s Tavares High School. Although this did not happen due to a lack of teacher support, the Owen family and Lee Johnson met and combined efforts. Team 1557 was born.

The first two years, Team 1557 met at Lake Technical School. Lake Tech provided mentors, machine shop, wood shop and welding. During 1557’s rookie year more than 90 students, teachers and mentors signed up for the team. Public, private and home schooled students from throughout Lake County participated. After 2006, Lake Tech was no longer available. The team struggled to find workspace, and met at Mount Dora High School until securing the basement of Impacting Word Church. Although the basement provided an area in which to work, it had only one electrical outlet, no tools or equipment, no water or bathroom facilities, and no heat or air conditioning. The entrance was down a steep grass embankment with no sidewalk or cement path. Everything was hand carried in and out, up and down, a steep slippery slope. The team began over a week late and lost many mentors and students, but built a robot on schedule and competed in 2007’s Florida Regional event.

Fall 2007 found the team meeting in Christian Home and Bible School’s Media Center. Efforts to secure a better-equipped workspace were unsuccessful and members were uncertain if the previous year’s basement and the tools stored there were still available. Again, the team was allowed to use the church basement, but had a late build start. Team 1557 again succeeded, building a robust robot for the 2008 competition. This robot, fondly named “Royal Flush”, additionally competed at Tempest ‘N’ Tampa and Robot Rodeo off-season events.

Renewed efforts to find the team a more suitable home were rewarded over the summer of 2008. The Lake Eustis Community Foundation agreed to house the team in a small downtown building, happily shared with a mandolin group, for the cost of utilities.

Team 1557 now meets in the “Lake County Robotics Team 1557 Clubhouse." The small building is located on a major Eustis street, Grove Street, just steps from downtown. It is even equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, and outlets! The team now pulls its robot-laden cart to downtown events, including the popular monthly “Street Fest.” The hiss of pneumatics as Royal Flush’s scissor lift engages causes many to pause and learn more. Invitations to the team’s Open House resulted in the attendance of Eustis City Commissioners. They have expressed strong support for the program.

Now in its 6th year, Team 1557 continues to proudly serve Lake County.