Where do our thoughts go when we daydream? What does a wandering mind tell us about how we learn? And how does the way we react to suspenseful movies improve our ability to pay attention?

Those are some of the questions that Eric Schumacher, professor in the School of Psychology, attempts to answer with his research into cognitive control, and what it could mean for the future of communications and education. Those studies are the focus of the first episode of Season 3 of ScienceMatters, the official podcast of the Georgia Tech College of Sciences.

Each week for the next 10 weeks, ScienceMatters will highlight the research and discoveries going on in the College of Sciences. The episodes include stories on:

* How microbiology research is giving us not only clues about the early Earth, but what climate change is doing to the environment;

* The concepts under study in the School of Mathematics that could help us reach the outer Solar System's planets and moons faster and cheaper;

* The studies underway to learn how our brains and bodies adapt to serious injuries such as strokes and amputations.

Each episode will also include a quiz that refers to facts mentioned in each podcast. A winner will be chosen randomly from all who submit correct answers. Winners will receive special College of Sciences merchandise such as t-shirts and pens.

The episode 1 quiz question: