{"id":171990,"date":"2026-02-10T15:39:19","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T15:39:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/171990\/"},"modified":"2026-02-10T15:39:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T15:39:19","slug":"learning-lab-created-in-anaheim-by-tiger-woods-foundation-marks-20-years-enhancing-education-orange-county-register","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/171990\/","title":{"rendered":"Learning lab created in Anaheim by Tiger Woods\u2019 foundation marks 20 years enhancing education \u2013 Orange County Register"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 2006, the TGR Learning Lab in Anaheim,<\/a> founded by golf legend Tiger Woods\u2019 foundation, opened to give 150 local, underserved youth more hands-on opportunities<\/a> to help with learning in engineering science, technology, engineering and math.<\/p>\n

Over the past 20 years, the learning lab on Gilbert Street and Crescent Avenue, in Woods\u2019 former hometown, has ignited the learning passions of more than 200,000 students, expanding from a five-person staff to a staff of 24, along with a network of volunteers.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A family learns how to imprint a design onto a metal coin during an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the TGR Learning Lab, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Students<\/p>\n

Students test their general knowledge in a quiz game during an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the TGR Learning Lab, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A statue of Earl and Tiger Woods overlooks visitors during an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the TGR Learning Lab, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Theodore<\/p>\n

Theodore Pattison, 5, left, reacts after seeing his straw bridge hold up a pile of coins during an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the TGR Learning Lab, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Asher<\/p>\n

Asher East-Vu, 9, learns to use a camera during an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the TGR Learning Lab, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Senior<\/p>\n

Senior Executive Director Gyla Bell speaks during an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the TGR Learning Lab, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A spokesperson from Genesis speaks with a family during an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the TGR Learning Lab, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"People<\/p>\n

People arrive during an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the TGR Learning Lab, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Families<\/p>\n

Families try out the putting area during an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the TGR Learning Lab, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Theodore<\/p>\n

Theodore Pattison, 5, tests his straw bridge during an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the TGR Learning Lab, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Families<\/p>\n

Families try out the putting area during an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the TGR Learning Lab, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Chloe<\/p>\n

Chloe Giang, 3, tests her coordination in a game of hopscotch during an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the TGR Learning Lab, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Students<\/p>\n

Students play the video game Mario Kart during an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the TGR Learning Lab, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Families<\/p>\n

Families try out the putting area during an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the TGR Learning Lab, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"People<\/p>\n

People watch a presentation in the auditorium during an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the TGR Learning Lab, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Suong<\/p>\n

Suong Bui, left, and her son, Liam, 6, examine scientific specimens during an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the TGR Learning Lab, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Aiden<\/p>\n

Aiden Silva, 11, left, learns to fly a drone during an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the TGR Learning Lab, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Suong<\/p>\n

Suong Bui, right, and her son, Liam, 6, examine scientific specimens during an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the TGR Learning Lab, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 18<\/p>\n

A family learns how to imprint a design onto a metal coin during an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the TGR Learning Lab, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

While the growth has been exponential and the offerings have evolved, guided by innovations in the fields and the addition of arts to make STEM learning STEAM learning,\u00a0 the core mission of providing underserved youth in grades five through 12 is the same: to provide the tools, knowledge and confidence to identify and pursue their passions.<\/p>\n

Alumni, staff and local dignitaries helped celebrate the 20th anniversary over the weekend\u00a0at the Anaheim campus, which featured tours of its high-tech classroom and giveaways from corporate sponsors.<\/p>\n

\u201cOpening the TGR Learning Lab in Anaheim 20 years ago was an incredible moment for me, our family and TGR Foundation,\u201d Tiger Woods<\/a> said in a written statement. \u201cMy vision was to create a safe space for kids in my community to chase after their dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n

The learning lab now offers project-based lessons in subjects such as computer science, engineering, photography, video game design, robotics, and of course, AI.<\/p>\n

The program is also taking a deeper dive into career readiness, said Gyla Bell, senior executive director of the TGR Learning Lab in Anaheim.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re really getting kids career readiness skills and helping them get into jobs or secure jobs,\u201d Bell said, as well as into colleges and trade schools.<\/p>\n

\u201cWherever their passion lies, that\u2019s the direction we want to help them go,\u201d she added. \u201cWhat skills are needed \u2026 resume writing, filling out an application, professional emails, social media, interview skills, all of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2008, Alma Gutierrez was a student at Western High School in Anaheim, Woods\u2019 alma mater, when, as a member of the Pioneers golf team, she was required by her coach to attend the TGR Learning Lab<\/p>\n

Gutierrez, who was among the hundreds who turned out for the celebration, recalls being hesitant at first, assuming the center was merely an extension of school.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd then when I stepped foot, I was like, no, this is not school,\u201d Gutierrez said. \u201cThis is something magical and amazing.\u00a0 And it felt like a safe space to be. And I never left. I started volunteering here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gutierrez rose up from volunteer to her current role as the director of the TGR Foundation\u2019s Earl Woods Scholar Program.<\/p>\n

Fidel and Mireya Hernandez and their son, Bruno, were among the many Learning Lab families in attendance for the celebration.<\/p>\n

When the couple first enrolled Bruno, then a seventh grader, they acknowledged being hesitant because he is on the autism spectrum. But they were assured, they said, that the Learning Lab offers programs designed to serve youngsters with special needs.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love this place,\u201d\u00a0 Mireya Hernandez said. \u201cMy son is happy. He\u2019s learning. He\u2019s growing up. And I am a volunteer.\u201d<\/p>\n

The TGR Foundation has since opened TGR Learning Labs in Los Angeles and Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m proud of the more than 200,000 students we\u2019ve served,\u201d Woods said, \u201cand grateful for the support from everyone who has joined us in our mission.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In 2006, the TGR Learning Lab in Anaheim, founded by golf legend Tiger Woods\u2019 foundation, opened to give…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":171991,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[163,165,164,7,179,15,23,100,611],"class_list":["post-171990","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-anaheim","tag-anaheim","tag-anaheim-headlines","tag-anaheim-news","tag-california","tag-community","tag-education","tag-local-news","tag-news","tag-orange-county"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/171990","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=171990"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/171990\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/171991"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=171990"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=171990"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=171990"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}