IRVINE, CA / ACCESS Newswire / June 11, 2026 / Fresh off a historic run on the global stage, the TGR Learning Lab Philadelphia’s first-year robotics team, Tiger Robotics, is celebrating a monumental milestone after competing at the FIRST® Robotics World Championship in Houston, Texas. As the only competitive robotics team based in West Philadelphia, the rookie squad rapidly ascended to place among the top high school programs in the world, capping off an extraordinary inaugural season by earning the FIRST® Rising All-Star Award at the global event.
Fourteen of the team’s 22 members traveled to Houston to represent the TGR Learning Lab on the world stage. They joined hundreds of elite student teams from across the globe to compete, network, and participate in immersive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) showcases.
Over a rigorous three-month season leading up to the tournament, the students collaborated to design, engineer, and build “Tinker Tiger,” a fully custom, industrial-scale robot. The hands-on project required students to master advanced technical concepts, adapt to mechanical challenges, and work cohesively under tight deadlines.
“This accomplishment demonstrates what becomes possible when young people are given the space, tools, and mentorship to take ownership of their learning,” said Hrag Hamalian, Chief Executive Officer of the TGR Foundation. “Our students built more than a robot; they built the confidence, discipline, and collaborative mindset that will carry them into future careers in engineering, technology, and beyond.”
Tiger Robotics competes in the FIRST Mid-Atlantic District, widely regarded as one of the most fiercely competitive regions in the United States. Despite being a first-year program, the team made an immediate and lasting impression on the circuit. Tiger Robotics earned the prestigious Rookie All-Star Award at its inaugural district event and successfully repeated the honor at the Mid-Atlantic District Championship. Competition judges consistently lauded the team not only for their technical engineering and business operations but also for their outstanding teamwork and dedication to community engagement-a trajectory that culminated in their Rising All-Star honors at the World Championship.
The success of the Tiger Robotics team is a direct reflection of the TGR Foundation’sTeen Career Readiness Strategy. Through this framework, team members take on designated roles that mirror real-world career paths, operating within a building team, a programming team, and a marketing team. This structure allows students to develop highly sought-after professional skills, including Computer-Aided Design (CAD), coding, fabrication, and corporate communications.
“It is an incredible moment for our team,” said Adam Mesewicz, Director of Career-Connected Learning at the TGR Learning Lab Philadelphia and the head coach of Tiger Robotics. “Each member came together from various schools and neighborhoods to become a team, unified by a commitment to learn, innovate, and grow together. Their creativity and determination is truly inspiring.”
In addition to their rigorous pre-season classes and demanding practice schedules, many members of the Tiger Robotics team also serve as interns at the Learning Lab. In this capacity, they help build the local STEM talent pipeline by teaching younger students foundational skills in programming, 3D printing, and CAD design.
Operating out of the Smilow Woodland TGR Learning Lab at the Cobbs Creek Golf and Education Campus-the Labprovides free, year-round educational opportunities for local youth in grades 1 through 12. The state-of-the-art facility offers comprehensive support ranging from STEAM courses and academic tutoring to college preparation and career-connected learning experiences.
The global achievement of Tiger Robotics perfectly aligns with the broader mission of the TGR Foundation as it celebrates a landmark milestone. Founded in 1996 by Tiger Woods, the Foundation is proudly celebrating 30 years of driving dreams together. The organization operates on the core belief that opportunity should be universal and potential limitless. By empowering students from under-resourced communities, the TGR Foundation has served more than 217,000 students to date.
The Philadelphia Lab is part of a growing national network of TGR Learning Labs, which includes the flagship campus in Anaheim, California, and expansion sites planned for Los Angeles, California, as well as Atlanta and Augusta, Georgia.
With their first competitive season now complete, the students of Tiger Robotics have established a powerful foundation for the future, demonstrating the talent, resilience, and ingenuity of West Philadelphia on the world stage.
For more information on the TGR Foundation and its educational programs, please visit TGRFoundation.org or connect with the organization on LinkedIn and Instagram.
About TGR Foundation
The TGR Foundation is a leading education nonprofit founded in 1996 by Tiger Woods. Committed to unlocking the unlimited potential of young people from under-resourced communities, the Foundation empowers students to pursue their passions through education. Celebrating 30 years of impact, the TGR Foundation provides signature education programs focused on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM), alongside career readiness, college access, and health and well-being initiatives.
Media Contact
Company Name: TGR Foundation
Contact person: Jasmine Tate
Email: jtate@tgrfoundation.org
Website: http://www.tgrfoundation.org/
SOURCE: TGR Foundation
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