Construction students build an insect hotel for Sleepy Hollow park

The structure will be on display at the Peabody Preserve Outdoor Classroom (PPOC)

A unique request from the manager of an outdoor classroom in Sleepy Hollow provided students in the Center for Career Services’ Construction/Plumbing program an opportunity to have their work displayed in public.

 Instructor Kurt Boysen’s class was asked to design and build an insect hotel for the Peabody Preserve Outdoor Classroom (PPOC), a 40-acre nature preserve owned by the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns. The structure will hold ladybugs, which can serve as an effective natural pest control in nature, as well as other insects.

The idea of partnership between the district and the Center for the Career Services began when Tarrytown Board of Education member Ida Michael toured the CCS campus in Valhalla. Michael, who serves as the Board of Education’s representative for the PPOC, was also inspired after seeing an insect hotel at the Greenburgh Nature Center.

“I am so appreciative of Ida and Kurt and, of course, the students and the whole BOCES program,” said Katie Scully, the PPOC manager.

This request was a first for Boysen, who had his students research other insect hotel designs and create their own design and dimensions. The students built the structure, including establishing the proper roof angles, and reinforced the legs for added strength. They also stained the wood and added a black finishing gloss.

“They did a fantastic job,” Boysen said. “I think it came out great.”

Scully visited Boysen’s classroom and approved the design, which will be unveiled during the preserve’s Spring Fling event from 5:30-8 p.m. on June 6. Students will be invited to work on various crafts during the event — including building “rooms” for the insects that can be inserted into the insect hotel as shelter.

“The talented students made a wonderful insect hotel,” Scully said. “To hear Kurt tell it, the students were so enthusiastic and very independent in its construction.”

Students in Boysen’s morning and afternoon classes collaborated, working on separate steps of the project. The end results will now not only be displayed in public but also serve a clear purpose.

“This is just an example of the work we’re going to be able to do in the future,” said Andrew Pena, a junior at Woodlands High School who was among those who worked on the project. “All of this helps prepare us.”