A nutrition education unit, Rat Pak, developed by Dairy Council, Inc., is an attempt to influence students to make wise food choices. It consists of eleven lessons in an instructional sequence which incorporates the use of white rats as a means of illustrating the effect of improper diet while teaching proper diet. The purpose of this investingation is to determine whether Rat-Pak increases knowledge of nutrition and whether it affects dietary intake. A second intent of the study is to compare the effectiveness of Rat-Pak with other means of teaching nutrition. The study is also planned with the intent of determining an optimal age for utilization of the unit. Results indicate that Rat-Pak increases nutritional knowledge and changes the dietary behavior of students who study the unit (grades 5-8). It is also found to be more effective than nutrition units commonly taught. Results also indicate that an optimal age for utilization of the unit is seventh grade. The results of the study must be considered with caution as several points could be considered weaknesses. For instance, the validity of the dietary analysis as a measure of dietary behavior is questionable. This study reveals areas for further study. It is suggested that teacher cooperation be emphasized in the future and that teacher attitude and knowledge of nutrition and their relationship to student learning, as well as the affective effects of the unit on students be considered. (Author/AM)