Ever wondered what will happen if we eventually burn all our fossil fuels? Or pondered over whether recycling really will make a difference?
Those are just two of the questions that will be faced by a panel of academic experts at a special Question Time type event taking place later today at the University of Aberdeen.
Almost 330 children from seven North-east schools are attending the event which is being hosted by Professor David Macdonald, Head of the University's School of Geosciences, who will be playing the role of David Dimbleby.
The S3 and S4 pupils were asked to submit queries in advance of the Big Questions in Science: Energy and the Environment session which is being staged to coincide with National Science and Engineering Week.
And a total of 88 brain teasers were sent in, including one which asks the experts "whether they believe in the theory of global warming and why has it only recently been talked about?"
The panel of University experts comprises:
- Professor Mary Cotter, Biomedical Sciences. Director of Teaching and Learning of the University's College of Life Sciences and Medicine
- Professor Trevor Salmon, International Relations. Director of Teaching and Learning of the University's College of Arts and Social Sciences.
- Professor Andy Porter, Professor of Biotechnology and Deputy Director of the University's Institute of Medical Sciences
- Professor Andrew Hurst, Chair of Production Geoscience.
- Dr Elizabeth Baggs, NERC Research Fellow in Plant and Soil Science.
Dr Andy Schofield, Senior Lecturer and Academic Co-ordinator Promoting Science at the University of Aberdeen, has helped organise the event: He said: "Our Big Questions in Science event has generated a lot of excitement from local schools.
"The schools and pupils have shown great enthusiasm for this event and have submitted many interesting and diverse questions about issues relating to energy and climate change. We are delighted to contribute to National Science and Engineering Week and hope that this event will encourage an appreciation for science among school children."
The event begins at 1.45pm with a welcome from host Professor David MacDonald, Head of the University's School of Geosciences, and then finishes at 3pm.
The schools involved are Harlaw, Hazlehead, Kemnay, Northfield, Oldmachar and Turriff Academies and The Gordon Schools, Huntly. All schools will be entered into a prize draw and the winner will receive £500 towards science equipment for their school. Three pupils who submitted questions will also win £25 worth of Amazon vouchers.