Glasgow Science Centre gets a share of a £2.6m funding pot

Scotland's science centres are to share £2.6 million in funding to increase engagement with schools and under-represented groups - with Glasgow netting £964,00.

Glasgow Science Centre, Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, Dundee Science Centre and Aberdeen Science Centre had a record high of nearly 695,000 visitors last year, including an increase in the number of primary and secondary school pupils.

The Scottish Government funding is aimed at boosting access among girls and people living in deprived or remote communities.

Aberdeen Science Centre will receive £259,500 in revenue funding and school transport subsidies, Dundee £343,500 and Dynamic Earth £905,000.

Science Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville said: 'Scotland's science centres have a key role to play in improving skills, enthusiasm and knowledge of science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) at all levels of school, college and university, as well as encouraging uptake of careers in this sector.

`Ensuring we have a strong Stem skills base is vital to both Scotland's society and economic prosperity.

`That is why the continued support of our science centres and festivals is a key commitment of our recently announced Programme for Government and a central strand of our ambitious Stem strategy which will be published today.

`This funding will allow the centres to continue the great work they are doing in bringing science alive for hundreds of thousands of visitors this year, while the school transport and community subsidies will enable them to target activities at an even wider number of people across Scotland.'