Tiny Home Project Brings Foundation of Learning to BOCES

SCHOHARIE – Students in the Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical Education Building Trades and Electrical Trades programs created a solid foundation of educational knowledge last school year with the construction of the school’s first-ever tiny home.

Students in Matt Hitchcock’s Building Trades program on the Schoharie Campus were joined during the last five months of the school year by their peers in teacher Curtis Van Steele’s Electrical Trades program in developing the blueprints, framing, roofing, building, plumbing and electrical wiring for a 24-foot, by nearly 12-foot house. 

“This project brings it all together for the students,” said Hitchcock. “They started with the blueprints, developed a materials list, worked on framing and roofing, insulation, flooring – everything that goes into home construction.”

Students concurred. 

“I have learned a lot of different skills and I learned a lot about business at BOCES. These are all skills I will need,” said graduate Carter Iarusso.

The Berne-Knox-Westerlo graduate is launching his own contracting business, Carter’s Contracting.

Meanwhile, Electrical Trades students said the work put a charge in their learning.

“[Wiring the tiny home] is an awesome project. It gives you the opportunity to work in a real-world setting and gain valuable skills,” said class of 2024 Electrical Trades graduate Brandan Cross, who attended the program from the Gilboa-Conesville Central School District.

Before starting construction, Building Trades students created a variety of designs for the project and then voted on the blueprints they wanted to bring to life. Graduate Marc Becker crafted the winning design. 

“It’s a lot of fun to see something you designed come to life,” the Cobleskill-Richmondville High School graduate said. “It’s fun working with my friends and building this and bringing it from paper to reality.”

Offered on the Albany and Schoharie campuses, the Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical Education Electrical Trades program teaches students the fundamental skills in electrical theory through classroom instruction and hands-on shop lessons. Through this training, they can become successful residential, commercial and industrial wiring professionals.

Offered on the Albany and Schoharie campuses, the Building Trades program provides students with valuable construction industry experience through on- and off-campus projects as they prepare for careers in the industry. Past projects include the construction of sheds, furniture, fencing, signs and outbuildings. This is the first house students will construct as part of the program.