SCIENCE centres in Scotland’s four largest cities are being given £2 million in emergency funding as they prepare to reopen in the autumn.
The Dynamic Earth attraction in Edinburgh along with the science centres in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee are being offered the money to weather the effects of the pandemic.
It is in addition to the £2.67 million the Scottish Government provides to the science centres annually.
The centres employ around 400 staff and will have new safeguards in place to protect visitors.
Science minister Richard Lochhead said: “Our science centres are a valuable national asset and even though they are currently closed to visitors, they have continued to deliver STEM learning opportunities through the creative and innovative use of online learning.
“From daily online videos and weekly themed home-learning programmes to stay-at-home science and STEM care packages, they have been providing valuable resources to support parents, teachers and young people during the school closures.
“Science, technology, engineering and maths impact our everyday lives and this has never been more relevant than in the current global pandemic.”
He continued: “The huge contributions of Scotland’s STEM-related research and industry have being highlighted nationally and internationally throughout the Covid-19 crisis.
“This extra money puts our science centres in a stronger position to continue to showcase Scottish research and industry excellence in STEM, inspiring our young people and supporting their learning, while helping Scotland realise its ambitions as a science and innovation nation.”
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