MASHANTUCKET, CT – Wondr Nation, the online gaming and entertainment company owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN), and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians have announced the next phase of their partnership with an on-site Wondr Smart Labs educator training held Aug. 19 at Morongo School. The training is part of an ongoing effort to expand STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) education opportunities for tribal youth.
The training provided select Morongo School educators with tools, resources and curriculum to bring Wondr Smart Labs programming into the classroom. 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 education for tribal youth. The program combines hands-on learning with technology, creativity and culturally relevant experiences.
“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 educator training included curriculum and hands-on learning strategies designed to help teachers incorporate Wondr Smart Labs programming into their classrooms.
“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.”
The partnership between Wondr Nation and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians was first announced in March 2026.
