These are just a few of the questions that will be addressed during National Science Week at Loughborough University from 19 to 23 March, in a series of public lectures and hands-on activities for schools.
All events are free of charge, but booking is essential.
The evolution of wearable or mobile computers Tuesday 20 March, 7pm Computer technology has dramatically changed our lives over recent years. The UK's only Professor of Sports Technology, Professor Roy Jones, will demonstrate how Science and Engineering are contributing to the development of golf, tennis, football, cricket and squash by analysing the effects of different types of balls on the speed and quality of the game. 2-3pm Pupils aged 14 and over will be able to find out about the exciting world of plastics at the University's Institute of Polymer Technology and Materials Engineering. Those aged 13 and over will have the chance to explore Loughborough's Human Thermal Environments Laboratory and discover the difference between human performance in the cold and at ambient temperatures. By trying out various hand pumps and assessing how good they are, children of 11 and over will find out how hand pumps work and also how they can make a big difference to the health of people living in developing countries.