This course is the first semester course in the MATA Building Construction sequence. Students acquire basic understanding of residential construction and the carpentry trade. The program also provides instruction on plan reading and comprehension. Units of instruction include the completion of an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certification program and the study of structural components with emphasis on how they relate to each other, code, and to the finished product. This includes foundation work, floor and wall framing, interior and exterior finishes, and the construction and installation of cabinetry. This course is part of the Loudoun Governor's STEM Academy.