WONDR NATION Expands Wondr Smart Labs with Grant to Morongo Band of Mission Indians
New partnership brings STEAM education to Tribal youth, empowering students with coding, robotics, and hands-on learning rooted in Morongo traditions
Mashantucket, CT (March 24, 2026)
WONDR NATION, the online gaming and entertainment company owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, today announced a partnership with the Morongo Band of Mission Indians through the award of a Wondr Smart Labs grant, expanding its culturally integrated STEAM education program beyond Connecticut for the first time. The partnership will provide hands-on coding and robotics programming to Morongo Tribal youth ranging from prekindergarten through high school students.
Wondr Smart Labs is a youth-focused learning program that integrates Tribal cultural elements into STEAM-based education. The program was previously implemented with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation in Connecticut, where coding instruction was paired with Pequot culture-driven lessons such as storytelling, language, and traditional practices to create an engaging and layered learning experience.
“Through Wondr Smart Labs, we aim to support Tribal communities by delivering STEAM education that reinforces and celebrates Tribal cultural identity while building future-ready skills,” said Anika Howard, CEO and President of WONDR NATION. “We are honored to partner with the Morongo Band of Mission Indians as our first grant recipient outside Connecticut.”
Through the grant, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians will receive coding-based curriculum using Sphero robots, scalable programming for multiple age groups, along with all required initial equipment and training, including tablets, and virtual training for Tribal staff. The program also includes example curriculum designed to incorporate Morongo-specific Tribal culture into STEM instruction. Additional Wondr Smart Labs grant partnerships with Tribal Nations are planned.
“Wondr Smart Labs represents a meaningful investment in our youth and the future of our Tribe,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “By integrating STEAM education with our cultural values and traditions, this program empowers our students to build critical skills while staying rooted in their heritage. We’re proud to partner with WONDR NATION to bring this innovative learning opportunity to our community.”
The Morongo Band of Mission Indians’ participation in Wondr Smart Labs underscores a shared commitment to expanding access to culturally relevant education and creating pathways for Tribal youth to thrive in an increasingly digital world. As WONDR NATION continues to grow the Wondr Smart Labs initiative, the program aims to partner with additional Tribal Nations to support the next generation of Indigenous innovators.
“The partnership with WONDR NATION creates powerful new opportunities for students at the Morongo School,” said Destiny Garcia , chair of the Morongo Education Committee. “Wondr Smart Labs opens doors to hands-on learning in technology and innovation while honoring our cultural values, helping prepare our students for lifelong success.”
For more information on WONDR NATION, visit wondrnation.com and linkedin.com/company/wondrnation.
About WONDR NATION
WONDR NATION is an online gaming entertainment company focused on partnering with best-in-class gaming platforms and using emerging technologies and trends to create new and exciting experiences for players. Owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, equality and diversity are deeply engrained into WONDR NATION’s company makeup as well as its ongoing endeavors. With corporate responsibility and sustainable play serving as key driving forces, WONDR NATION is committed to educating players about maintaining healthy user habits, and developing the next generation of gaming professionals through educational programs, vocational training and employment opportunities.
About the mashantucket pequot tribal nation
The Mashantucket (Western) Pequot Tribal Nation is a federally recognized Indian tribe located at one of America’s oldest Indian reservations, Mashantucket, in Southeastern Connecticut. As pioneers of the Indian gaming casino industry, the history of the Mashantucket Pequots reveals one of America’s greatest come-back stories, featured at the Tribe’s world-renowned Mashantucket Pequot Museum. Today, the Tribe owns and operates one of the largest Integrated Resort Casino destinations in North America, Foxwoods Resort Casino, as well as Foxwoods El San Juan Casino, located at the iconic Fairmont El San Juan Hotel in Puerto Rico. The Tribe also founded Command Holdings, LLC., a federally chartered Section 17 holding company offering expertise in government, healthcare, facilities management, and technology. Other enterprises owned by the Tribe include a world-class golf course, the luxurious Spa at Norwich Inn, Pequot Pharmaceutical Network, and Pequot Plus Health Benefit Services. As one of Connecticut’s highest revenue contributors and largest employers, the Mashantucket Pequots have provided the state more than $4.5 billion in slot revenue through a first-of-its-kind agreement, established in 1993. Likewise, the Tribe has contributed hundreds of millions in donations and sponsorships for the benefit of communities and tribes in need, locally and throughout the U.S. For more information visit, https://www.mptn-nsn.gov.
about THE MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Located at the foot of the San Gorgonio Mountains of Riverside County, the 36,000-acre Morongo Indian Reservation is home to the more than 1,000 members of the resilient Morongo Band of Mission Indians. As a sovereign nation, the Morongo Tribe has overcome decades of adversity to become a model of self-reliance and self-determination. Today the Tribe provides over $3 billion in regional economic activity and more than 2,500 jobs as the region’s largest employer. Morongo has built upon its successes for the benefit of generations to come and the surrounding communities, all while honoring and preserving the rich traditions of its past. For information, visit https://morongonation.org/
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