These are just a few of the questions that will be addressed during National Science Week at Loughborough University from 15 to 24 March, in a series of public lectures and hands-on activities.
All events are free of charge, but booking is essential.
Former Tomorrow's World presenter Kate Bellingham will dispel some of the myths surrounding engineering, using real-life examples and her personal experience as a female engineer and TV presenter. Passionate about the role that engineering has to play in our lives, Kate will bring a lively and humorous perspective to engineering in the new millennium in her lecture. Making light work Wednesday 22 March, 2pm Dr John Tyrer, from the University's Optical Engineering Centre, will give an enlightening demonstration on how light, and in particular lasers, are changing the way things are measured, and how light techniques can be used in different areas of engineering design. Thursday 23 March, 7.30pm Successful Formula 1 cars rely heavily on the car's design and the physics of its behaviour. Children between the ages of 7 and 10 have been asked to draw a robot to help the family at home, while 11 to 14 year olds have been invited to make a model of a domestic robot.