Is there life in outer space? What makes a Formula 1 car go so fast? What happens inside your body when you get a hangover? What's the best way to pack peas in a tin?
You might not have asked these questions before, but they are among those to be answered during Science Week Ireland, which runs from November 11th to 18th. Organised by the Government's Science Technology Innovation Awareness Programme within Forfβs, the week brings power to the people, with scientists forced to speak in ordinary language for a change.
The week includes a wide range of events, from formal lectures to "Sunday fundays", meant to appeal to all family members. The idea is to make science both understandable and enjoyable and hopefully make young people interested in science as a career.
Mr Peter Snow, presenter of BBC's Tomorrow's World, will launch the week-long programme of events tomorrow with the Minister for Science, Technology and Commerce, Mr Treacy, and John Travers, chief executive of Forfβs.
The line-up includes something for everyone, with events taking place across the country. Universities and institutes of technology have organised their own programmes, with lectures and tours of laboratories. There is also a special Primary Science Day on Tuesday, November 13th, during which children can take part in hands-on science activities.
The 2001 schedule includes more than 160 events, the largest yet organised by the STI Awareness Programme. There are also three road shows, which will travel to various venues.
The Primary Science Day now runs as a national event after earlier successful pilot schemes. It brings science into the primary school classroom and encourages the pupils to learn about science by doing rather than just watching. The theme this year is magnetism and the day will be launched on Monday, November 12th, by the Minister for Education, Mr Woods, and Mr Treacy.
A second key element of the week is the Sunday fun days, on November 11th and 18th, which will take place at seven venues.
RT╔ Radio 1 will hold its annual Science Week lecture, this year given by Prof Fergal O'Gara, director of the Biomerit Research Centre at University College Cork. His talk, "What has biotechnology done for our food?", takes place at The Hub, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 13th.
The week offers a wide selection of talks and presentations, from the serious to the downright quirky. IT Sligo will have a Formula 1 Ferrari on hand and has organised talks on forensic science and why hangovers make you feel so bad.
The Royal Irish Academy hosts Prof Denis Weaire of Trinity College Dublin, who will give a talk on how best to pack things from peas to pomegranates and from atoms to honeycombs. It takes place on Tuesday, November 13th, at 7 p.m. in Academy House, Dawson Street, Dublin.
On Friday, November 23rd. at 11 a.m., the US astronaut, Capt John Young, will give his views on the future of space exploration at the Institute of Engineers, Clyde Road, Dublin. Limerick IT has a range of talks on chemistry planned all through November 14th and 15th.
Details of Science Week Ireland, which runs from November 11th to 18th, are available from tomorrow on the Forfβs STI Awareness Programme website: www.science.ie