Science centre funding 2019-20

Funding to make Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) accessible to everyone has been confirmed during British Science Week.

£2.63 million will be shared between Scotland’s four science centres throughout 2019-20, bringing the total provided over the past four years to more than £10 million.

As well as an operational grant for the Centres, the fund includes:

• A schools transport subsidy, to support pupils in rural and deprived areas accessing the centres
• A community subsidy, to support centres' engagement with a greater diversity of people

Science Minister Richard Lochhead announced the funding during a visit to Glasgow Science Centre, and said:

“Today’s announcement of £2.63 million will further our aim of increasing access to public science engagement events, as part of our STEM Strategy for Education and Training.”

“Our science centres help make science, technology, engineering and maths accessible to a wide public audience of all ages and from all backgrounds.

“More than 690,000 visitors passed through the doors of Scotland’s four Science Centres in calendar year 2018 alone, and this funding for 2019-20 will provide more opportunities for people from all over Scotland to get involved in science over the coming year.”

Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Sheila Rowan said:

“Science, technology, engineering and maths impact our everyday lives, and our science centres are great places to explore, discover and nurture skills. Through workshops, events and hands-on exhibitions, people of all ages can engage with STEM and learn about our world and beyond.”

Background

The STEM Strategy for Education and Training is a five-year programme of activities to support involvement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The first annual report into the strategy was recently published.

British Science Week takes place from 8-17 March 2019 and is a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths.

The four Scottish Science Centres are: Glasgow Science Centre, Dynamic Earth (Edinburgh), Dundee Science Centre and Aberdeen Science Centre.