* Why Eskimoes don't build skyscrapers and How hot is cold? are among the primary to post-16 lectures to be given at the Royal Institution, 21 Albemarle Street, London W1, January-March. Other topics include: the technology behind the mobile phone; the Earth and the planets; physics in perspective; electrons and chemistry; enzymes; atoms and atmosphere; light, feathers and flight; and detecting earthquakes. Primary lectures are free, others Pounds 1-Pounds 4. Primary teachers' workshops also available at Pounds 15. Details: Andy Piggott, tel: 0171 409 2992; e-mail: schools@ri.ac.uk

* Ozone: protector or polluter? is the title of a free, open lecture to be given on January 15 by 1997 Michael Faraday award winner, Professor David Phillips of Imperial College, London University, at the Royal Society, 6 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1, 5.30pm. A light-hearted, chemist's-eye view involving experimental demonstrations is promised. Professor Phillips won the award for his communication of scientific principles to young audiences.

* Other Royal Society events include: Is science dangerous? - a lecture by Professor Lewis Wolpert, University College London medical school, March 19 - and a public exhibition, New Frontiers in Science, June 17-18. For further information tel: 0171 451 2574/5.

* As 1998 is the 50th anniversary of the National Health Service, health will be one of the main themes of SET '98, the national week of science, engineering and technology to be held March 13-22, organised by the British Association for the Advancement of Science. Regional programmes available in February. Tel: 0171 973 3074.

* The Old Royal Observatory, Greenwich, is running special events for SET '98 (see above). These include opportunities to view the stars through the UK's largest refracting telescope and to meet the last astronomer to use the telescope which defines the Prime Meridian of the World. Plus Skies of Spring planetarium shows, make your own camera workshops and, for children, model spaceship/satellite making and planetarium shows. No extra charge. Details: 0181 312 6565 (24 hours) or 0181 858 4422.