An environmental education program using the strands method of teaching was developed for Craig County, Virginia. All students were given a pre-test of knowledge and attitude in September 1972. The program was then implemented for the school year 1972-73. In May of 1973 all students were tested a second time for knowledge and attitude. Giles' (1958) Conservation Knowledge test and Georges' (1966) attitude test were employed in the study. A control group of students in Highland County received the same tests administered in an identical fashion, without the use of the environmental education program. Pre and post-test scores were paired and a paired-t statistical analysis was made for the means. Percent changes in scores were calculated for pre and post-test scores at all grade levels. Increases in scores significant at the 99 percent level were displayed in 7 of 12 grades for knowledge attainment and 5 of 12 grades for attitude improvement. Recommendations for future improvement were made. Data lead to the conclusion that for these two counties, future environmental education programs of the type described should be concentrated in grades five and six. / Master of Science

A comparative study was undertaken in diploma and degree schools of nursing within the state of Virginia to evaluate nutrition and diet therapy knowledge of presently enrolled nursing students. A questionnaire determined which schools would participate in the study which was done by using a standard test. The test was pre-tested, accepted at face validity and administered to 701 students. Results of the test showed that nutrition knowledge did not vary according to position of instructor and that diet therapy knowledge varied slightly. Test scores were consistently higher in nutrition than in diet therapy and gradually increased from the first through the last year of training. In nutrition, mean test scores for all schools combined ranged from 13.0 to 20.0 with standard deviations of . 2 .. 5 to 4.5 from the first through the last year of training. Me~n scores in diet therapy ranged from 10.0 to 16.0 with .standard deviations of 3. 0 to 3. 5. The hypothesis that knowledge of nutrition and diet therapy in diploma schools of nursing was improved when a nutrition instructor was employed on the nursing faculty was not correct. The use of another instrument for testing and a wider sample selection might have given the anticipated results. / Master of Science

The paper is a study of a voluntary agency engaged in social services planning in Tidewater Virginia for more than thirty years. Taking the historical approach, the study considers the role that private citizens have played in directing the planning activities of the Council of Social Agencies (later the Health-Welfare-Recreation Planning Council) and notes particularly those instances where decisions lying in the public domain have been influenced by actions of the Council and its leadership. The study takes up the question of changing patterns of Board membership and community working methods at different stages in time, observing where possible any factors which appear to have contributed to the success or failure of planning activities undertaken by the agency. Consideration is given to elements which can be expected to influence the future of voluntary planning agencies, and conclusions are drawn as to the factors which might be applicable to other communities. A detailed chronology of major events in the Council history is contained in the Appendix. / Master of Urban Affairs

Removal of ionic mercury from aqueous solutions using untreated, shampooed and solvent degreased hair was investigated. Considering the 20 percent weight losses due to degreasing, the rate of removal for solvent degreased hair was ten percent higher than untreated hair. The diffusion of ionic mercury into hair was found to be particle diffusion controlled, and the diffusion coefficient calculated was in the range of 2.77 x 10⁻¹² to 8.68 x 10⁻¹² cm²/sec. Regeneration of mercury loaded solvent degreased hair was possible with acids and sodium chloride solutions. Acids of high concentrations recovered all the mercury on hair, however, the loading capacity of hair went down drastically due to degradation. Only 67 percent of the mercury was recovered in the first regeneration using 0.2 N NaCl, but there was no loss in the loading capacity. The equilibrium recovery of mercury from hair with 0.2 N NaCl was 38 percent, reached at fifth regeneration. The diffusion of desorption process was particle diffusion controlling also, and the diffusion coefficient calculated from the experimental data was 2.11 x 10 ⁻¹² cm²/sec. A preliminary process design study was completed for treating a waste stream with 100 ppm mercury. The process lowers the mercury concentration to one ppb before discharge and the hair is regenerated for further use. The NaCl-HgCl₂ liquor is treated with NaOH to precipitate mercury as HgO at a pH of 10.5 - 12.0. The results of preliminary cost analysis showed that the break-even cost of mercuric oxide produced was 5.45 dollars per pound. / Master of Science

Tests were run on samples of four chemical sludges including two water treatment sludges resulting from coagulation by alum and ferric sulfate, respectively, and two advanced wastewater treatment sludges, resulting from coagulation with ferric sulfate and lime, respectively. The purpose of the testing was to determine the effect of freeze conditioning on the drainability of the chemical sludges and to evaluate operational parameters affecting optimum drainability by freeze conditioning. Specific resistance testing and gravity sand filtration and refiltration studies were used to determine the drainability of unconditioned and freeze conditioned samples. Unconditioned sludge was characterized by testing for total and total suspended solids, total volatile and total volatile suspended solids, and pH. Results indicated that freeze conditioning dramatically improved drainability of all chemical sludges investigated. Conditioned samples exhibited a granular consistency which settled rapidly. Specific resistance testing indicated that values obtained varied inversely with solids content for freeze conditioned samples. A direct relationship existed between filtration and refiltration rates and solids content for freeze conditioned samples, It was also determined that with increased storage time in the frozen state, drainability of the chemical sludges increased, as measured by specific resistance testing and gravity sand drainage studies. Filtrate quality of freeze conditioned samples was comparable to the quality of wastewater secondary effluent and some surface waters. / Master of Science

In order to develop a criteria for the design of student housing, student satisfaction with their current dormitory environment and student preferences for various features, facilities, and living arrangements in dormitories were investigated. The participants in the study were 180 female students at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University during the spring quarter of 1973. Total satisfaction scores were computed for the current dormitory environment. These scores were examined in relation to age, year in college, college of major, percentage of college expenses paid by student, length of residence in dormitory, family income, population of hometown, and type of housing prior to college. The desirability of off-campus housing was analyzed in relation to satisfaction score, age, year in college, and college of curriculum. Satisfaction with the current dormitory environment was also examined in relation to preference for various types of off-campus housing. Student preferences for various features in the dormitory were obtained, and whenever possible, were examined in relation to age, year in college, and college of curriculum. The design criteria was developed on the basis of student preferences as reported in this study. A description of the experimental situation, procedure, instrument, and statistical analysis are included. / M.S.

A study pertaining to men's social fraternities was conducted at a select sample of universities in the Southeastern United States. The purpose was to determine the status of racial integration in social fraternities at the six universities selected. Very little research has appeared in the professional literature with regard to integration in college fraternities, an extracurricular activity in which students may choose to seek membership. Personal interviews were conducted with black and non-black students, as well as administrative staff during visits to each campus. The study revealed that there was a very small number of black undergraduates at each university and consequently few blacks pledging non-black fraternities. Black fraternities had been established at three of the six universities. Black students at those universities had rushed and occasionally pledged non-black fraternities prior to the formation of the black chapters; very few had chosen to become members. No blacks chose to become members subsequent to the formation of black fraternities. Blacks were attracted to rush and pledge non-black fraternities at the three universities which did not have black fraternities, and a slightly higher percentage chose to be initiated. There was no evidence of non-blacks having rushed black fraternities. In conclusion, blacks were attracted only to black fraternities when a choice existed. Racial integration is a characteristic of non=black fraternities at selected Southeastern universities according to the criterion set forth. It could not be determined however, whether racial integration is characteristic of black fraternities, since such chapters were found at only three universities. / Master of Arts

The purpose of this investigation was to study the effects of activated sludge aerobic digestion on the subsequent performance of a centrifuge. Two runs, utilizing two, 55 gallon barrels as digesters per run, were conducted using detention periods of 15 and 14 days, for run #1 and #2, respectively. Besides centrifugation, various water quality parameters were monitored during the two digestion runs. Results of this investigation indicated that the aerobic digestion process is suitable for waste activated sludge stabilization. Significant total and volatile solids reductions in conjunction with consistent supernatant COD and BOD₅ reductions were noted. However, prolonged periods of aeration caused a decrease in both the filterability and the centrifugation performances. Both reached their optimum peaks within the first 5 days of aeration and then gradually declined. This seems to indicate that once a sludge reaches the endogenous respiration state that sludge handling becomes much more difficult. The improvement in centrifugation efficiency that occurred during the early stages of aerobic digestion was not enough to justify the expense of aerobic digestion prior to centrifugation. / Master of Science

The purpose of this research was to determine whether there were differences between male and female performance on the horizontal water level task. A sample of 18 boys and 17 girls who were in elementary school were selected. The Chi-square test of significance was used where variables and factors were statistically examined. Five factors were considered in relation to the horizontal water level task. They were (1) differences in performance on perception and prediction tasks, (2) sex differences in the ability to comprehend the horizontal water level principle, (3) sex differences in the stage of development as a result of instruction, (4) sex differences after instruction on the number of correct responses on horizontal tasks, and (5) changes within the stages after instruction. The findings indicated that there were significant differences between male and female performance on this task. Males did significantly better than females. The findings further indicated that there were differences between performance on prediction and performance on perception. Instruction made a significant difference in female performance as judged by change of stage on the prediction task. The results indicated that females could improve in their performance on this task when given instruction. / Master of Science

This thesis was written to be used as a textbook by undergraduates majoring in home economics. The chapters are organized in such a manner as to lead the student through a sequence that will provide an overview and yet in some areas a detailed observation of a television station. The early chapters are devoted to a description of and comments on the many facets of a television station. Special attention is given to acquainting the student with elements of the industry ranging from coverage maps and ratings to hand signals. The later chapters deal with specific areas. One is, "The Solo Demonstration and the Sewing Machine", another, "The Standup Demonstration" and a third is devoted to "The Interview". While in some areas the elements overlap, in each chapter the student is acquainted with certain problems and offered solutions relative to the various situations. The final chapter deals with "Television as a Teaching Tool". At the end of each chapter is a series of problems which will lead the student into some activity involving the immediate subject. Use of these exercises will give the student practical experience in the area under discussion. Following the problems is a feature that will aid the teacher in evaluating the student‘s performance. The appendix deals with additional visual elements of television. While this thesis is structured around the undergraduate student in home economics, it could be valuable reading for others who wish to use the medium of television. / Master of Arts