02/07/2008 00:00:00
£250,000 of extra funding will be shared between Scotland's four science centres in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen, the BBC reports.
Popular Scottish science centres Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, Glasgow Science Centre, Sensation in Dundee and Aberdeen's Stratosphere will have access to funds intended to encourage more young people to explore the world of physics, engineering and technology.
The money has been awarded by the SNP-led Scottish Government, with the Scottish Labour Party intimating that public anger following claims of a 40% funding cut at the Glasgow centre was the reason behind the decision. Opposition politicians have claimed that government funding for the Glasgow Science Centre will be cut from £1.7 million last year to £1.4 million this year, and that more cuts should be expected in the next few years.
Speaking to the BBC, Labour's culture spokesman Malcolm Chisholm said: "This funding doesn`t cover what Glasgow Science Centre is losing in direct support from the Scottish Government."
However the future of the Glasgow attraction has been described as "bright" by ministers. Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, Nicol Stephen, told the BBC: "This centre has got international standing, hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, a mission to inspire children about science."
To receive a share of the fund, the centres will apply to the Scottish schools equipment research centre. The cutting edge science centres are a draw to locals and tourists alike - providing interactive learning experiences and entertainment attractions in central and north Scotland.