WONDR NATION Brings Wondr Smart Labs Educator Training to Morongo School, Expanding STEAM Learning Opportunities for Tribal Youth
Continued partnership with the Morongo Band of Mission Indians equips educators with tools to bring hands-on technology and innovation experiences to students
Mashantucket, CT (August 20, 2026)
WONDR NATION, the online gaming and entertainment company owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN), and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians today announced the next phase of their partnership with an on-site Wondr Smart Labs educator training at Morongo School that took place on August 19, 2026. The training is part of a continued effort to expand access to hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) education opportunities for Tribal youth.
The training equips select Morongo School educators with the tools, resources, and curriculum needed to bring Wondr Smart Labs programming into the classroom. Following the training, approximately 30 Morongo School students will participate in interactive learning experiences focused on technology, creativity, and innovation.
“At WONDR NATION, we believe that access to education and technology can open doors to limitless possibilities for the next generation of leaders,” said Anika Howard, CEO of WONDR NATION. “We are proud to partner with the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and Morongo School to support educators, empower students, and help cultivate the curiosity, creativity, and confidence needed to shape the future.”
Wondr Smart Labs is a youth-focused educational initiative created by WONDR NATION to expand access to STEAM learning opportunities for Tribal youth. The program combines hands-on education with technology, creativity, and culturally relevant experiences to help students build confidence, explore new skills, and see themselves as future innovators, creators, and leaders.
“The arrival of WONDR NATION's team at Morongo School marks an important milestone in our partnership — bringing hands-on learning directly to our students and teachers,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “Wondr Smart Labs is more than a technology program; it is an investment in our Tribe's future, one that honors who we are while preparing our youth for the world ahead. We are proud to see this vision come to life in our classrooms.”
The training represents an important milestone in the continued expansion of Wondr Smart Labs at Morongo School, providing educators with the resources and support needed to introduce new approaches to STEAM learning. By empowering teachers with engaging curriculum and hands-on learning strategies, the program creates opportunities for students to learn through experimentation, creativity, and discovery.
“WONDR NATION's robotics program will empower our students, creating new opportunities to learn by doing, to problem-solve, and to see how data collected from a failure is just the first step toward a solution,” said Dennis Mitchell, Education Administrator, Morongo School. “This training brings that program experience directly to our teachers, so they can carry it into every classroom rooted in our cultural values and focused on building the skills our students need to thrive.”
First announced in March 2026, the partnership between WONDR NATION and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians reflects a shared commitment to creating meaningful educational opportunities that empower students. Through Wondr Smart Labs, WONDR NATION continues its efforts to expand access to engaging STEAM education experiences for Tribal youth.
For more information on WONDR NATION, visit wondrnation.com and linkedin.com/company/wondrnation. For more information about the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, please visit https://morongonation.org/
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, 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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