Rescue Dog Inspires STEM Teacher's Doghouse Project

Forbes

2 days ago

Bronco, a 7-year-old pit bull mix, inspired adopter and STEM teacher Luc Sproles to pilot a doghouse ... More project in an 8th grade class at William Penn Middle School in Indianapolis, Indiana.
An innovative STEM project in an 8th grade classroom is inspiring students to learn new skills while helping their local community — all thanks to a shelter dog named Bronco.
When Indianapolis teacher Luc Sproles adopted Bronco from the Humane Society for Hamilton County, he was impressed not only by the charming pit bull mix, but by how much the shelter staff genuinely cared about the dog.
STEM teacher Luc Sproles smiles with his rescue dog, Bronco.
'When I adopted Bronco, people were crying. That's how much they cared for him,' he recalls. 'Ever since then I've just been wondering, 'What are some ways that I can give back?''
So this year in his green architecture STEM course at William Penn Middle School, he launched a pilot program for the class to build a doghouse. It was essentially a culminating task of everything the students had learned about architecture, from the elements of design to structure, stability, drafting, modeling and reading blueprints.
Sproles also taught them how to use power tools, the names of different hand tools, tool maintenance and how to change saw blades — with an obvious emphasis on safety.
Students learned to safely use power tools to build a doghouse in a STEM class at William Penn ... More Middle School in Indianapolis, Indiana.
'As long as we set the bar high for our students, they will reach that,' he says. 'I wanted to show my students there was a way that they could give back to their community and apply what they've learned and really just connect their learning more to the real world and give them some authentic experiences.'
Many of the 8th graders were English as a New Language students, and Sproles enjoyed watching them become more confident about speaking in class as the project progressed. In fact, all of his students seemed to open up while talking about what kind of dog they'd like to have in the future since 'the great unifier is pets.'
Watching his students have fun while growing as leaders during a rigorous learning opportunity was immensely rewarding, he says. In fact, the doghouse project proved so popular that students would come up to him in the hallway and ask to transfer into his class — even when there were only two weeks left in the school year.
Luc Sproles teaches his green architecture STEM class about building a doghouse.
'It reminds me of why I got into teaching — why everyone wants to be teachers: that spark that they see in their students. That excitement they have for building and creating and making,' he says. 'Kids are naturally good at creating things, and we just have to find a way to channel that.'
The doghouse was on display for the 8th grade promotion after each student left a handprint and signed it. While the class donated the doghouse to a member of the staff, Sproles plans to partner with local animal shelters and other nonprofit organizations next year to give back to the community. In addition to building more doghouses, the project will likely expand so students can create dog beds, toys and other pet supplies from recycled materials.
He says finding innovative ways to support animal shelters continues to be a goal since adopting Bronco from the Humane Society for Hamilton County.
'It's just trying to help out them or any other shelters that provide such critical work in communities,' he says.
Thanks to the success of the pilot program, future STEM classes will build more doghouses and pet ... More supplies to donate to animal shelters.
During the doghouse project, students learned the importance of community, teamwork and collaboration, and they could envision different career possibilities, according to Sproles.
'Your education can be whatever you make of it, but if you invest in it and you really put in the effort, you can actually use it as something that can change your community,' he says.
His passion for teaching is one reason why Sproles was named the Indianapolis Public Schools Secondary School Teacher of the Year last month.
Indianapolis Public Schools named Luc Sproles, right, Secondary School Teacher of the Year in May of ... More 2025.
Marc Ransford, media relations manager for Indianapolis Public Schools, said the school system has poured 'a heck of a lot of money' into STEM education as part of its Building Stronger initiative. Even in a district with many strong schools, William Penn Middle School is at the forefront of STEM education, according to Ransford.
'I think everybody knows that the next level of education in this country has to be STEM, and visiting Luc's class, I was mesmerized by how these kids were doing everything,' he says. 'They built a doghouse, but they didn't just build a doghouse: they designed it, engineered it. They're middle-school kids, but they're thinking way beyond their years.'
Naturally, Sproles is proud of his students, too.
'They are the reason why I show up every day and do what I do,' he says. 'I have a sign that says, 'The future is yours to create,' and I think they're going to create a pretty cool future.'