A north-east science education centre has been awarded £250,000 to continue its work to deepen people’s understanding and knowledge of the field.
Satrosphere in Aberdeen will use the budget allocation for 2015-16 – up from £226,010 last year – to develop a range of initiatives to support learning and fund school visits and community engagement.
Satrosphere chief executive Liz Hodge said: “This funding acknowledges the vital role that science centres play in making sure people of all ages are able to engage with science.
“We are looking forward to developing a number of new exhibitions and activities over the next year, and to continue to promote the range of science, technology and engineering-related careers available to our young people.”
More than three million people have visited Scotland’s four science centres in Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen over the last five years.
Minister for Science Alasdair Allan, who announced an overall £2.7million funding package for the facilities yesterday, said he was “absolutely delighted” that visitor numbers were continuing to grow.
“This increase is a tribute to the staff and their efforts to encourage more people of all ages to visit the centres,” added the Western Isles MSP.
“Our schools will always encourage children enjoy the science they are learning, but there is so much more that families and adults can experience at the science centres with engaging exhibitions and events that stimulate debate and discussion.”
Mr Allan said Scotland had a key role to play in the international celebrations for Year of Light 2015 because physicist James Clerk Maxwell will be remembered.