WONDR NATION expands tribal STEAM program to Morongo

Wondr Nation/ File: Indian Gaming

According to Record Gazette, WONDR NATION, the online gaming and entertainment company owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, has announced a new collaboration with the Morongo Band of Mission Indians through its Wondr Smart Labs grant. This partnership marks the first time the program will reach beyond Connecticut, bringing culturally enriched STEAM education to Morongo Tribal youth. Students from transitional kindergarten through eighth grade will gain hands-on experience in coding and robotics.

Wondr Smart Labs is a youth-focused learning initiative that blends Tribal culture with STEAM education. Previously implemented with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation in Connecticut, the program combines coding instruction with lessons rooted in Pequot culture-such as storytelling, language, and traditional practices-to create a dynamic and meaningful 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.”