Wood education programs across the nation, at and below the secondary levels of education, have declined in enrollment in recent years. To many, wood education means only carpentry or woodworking. A systematic approach to the subject, as a part of a materials science course, can reverse the material's negative connotation and make wood education very attractive for most schools. A study of wood that includes structure, properties, and processes provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach, and could serve as a platform for building a strong awareness of materials and design considerations. It could also address the standards for technological literacy laid out by the International Technology Education Association. This article discusses the structure, properties, and processes related to wood technology and identifies generic laboratory apparatus for use in each study, as well as a variety of basic sample activities. (Includes 4 Internet resources.)