STEM Students Design Life-Changing Mobility Devices For Rescue Dachshunds (Photo) - 04/09/26
Dog Mobility Showcase at Valley Catholic Middle School Highlights Engineering, Creativity, and Compassion
WHO:
Ninety students from Valley Catholic Middle School, in partnership with Portland Dachshund Rescue
WHAT:
Media are invited to attend a dynamic Dog Mobility Showcase.
Eighth-grade students will unveil their custom-designed mobility devices for three special dogs with limited mobility. Working in structured “design firms,” students have spent the school year applying engineering, design thinking, and storytelling to develop real-world solutions that improve the lives of rescue dogs.
WHEN:
Wednesday, April 15, at 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Valley Catholic Middle School, Eagle’s Gym, 4420 SW Saint Marys Dr, Beaverton, OR 97078 - Check in at the middle school office and we will escort you to the Showcase.
VISUALS / PHOTO / INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:
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Three of the 15 student teams will present and demonstrate their custom-built dog mobility devices
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Rescue dogs from the Portland Dachshund Rescue interacting with prototypes and (as available) a few dogs to showcase the adopt and foster options available through the rescue.
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Hands-on displays of design models, materials, and engineering concepts from all 15 teams.
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Student and faculty interviews showcasing innovation, teamwork, and empathy.
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Middle School Director of Design Thinking: Yin-Fang Liao: Yin-Fang Liao – Valley Catholic Middle School
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Portland Dachshund Rescue: (971)227-6485, April Zimel (april@portlanddachshundrescue.org).
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WHY THIS MATTERS:
The Dog Mobility Project is a unique, year-long experience blending STEM education with compassion and community engagement. Students collaborate in teams that mirror professional engineering environments, taking on roles such as Project Manager, Design Engineer, Build Specialist, and Marketing and Media Specialists.
Through this partnership with Portland Dachshund Rescue, students are not only gaining hands-on technical skills—they are making a tangible difference in the lives of animals in need. The project emphasizes leadership, problem-solving, and communication, while fostering empathy and purpose-driven innovation.
BACKGROUND:
The project launched in September 2025, inspired by animal prosthetics featured on Wizard of Paws and reinforced by a live virtual workshop with animal orthotics expert Derrick Campana. The students (7th graders at the time) have since progressed through research, prototyping, testing, and iterative design — culminating in this final public showcase. This project follows the successful work to create a prosthetic prototype for Ember, a 16-week-old labradoodle whose back legs were paralyzed as a result of a spinal injury.
Media Access:
Journalists and photographers are encouraged to capture students in action, interview faculty and students, and speak with the Dachshund Rescue director. Ample parking spaces are available along SW St. Mary’s Drive.
About Valley Catholic Middle School: Valley Catholic Middle School, located in Beaverton, Oregon, is an accredited STEM school that integrates science, technology, engineering, and math across its college-preparatory curriculum for grades six through eight. Through four core academic pillars — Research, Writing, Presentation, and Product — students apply design thinking and problem-solving skills in hands-on, project-based learning experiences, including cross-curricular projects inspired by programs such as the IB Middle Years Programme and SUMMA. Founded as part of the Valley Catholic School community and affiliated with the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, the school reflects a longstanding tradition of academic excellence and service. This innovative approach, combined with a strong foundation in critical thinking and collaboration, equips students to excel academically and to become future-ready leaders in high school and beyond. Learn more at ssmo.org/vcs/schools/middle.
