£13m Government funding for science centres

The Government is to invest £13m in six science centres across the UK, including Widnes and Wirral.

The funding is to promote science to people around the country, and to fund the development of sustainable business models to ensure continued success.

Catalyst in Widnes, Eureka! Mersey, Dundee Science Centre, Glasgow Science Centre, The National Space Centre in Leicester, and Techniquest in Cardiff will all receive new funding after presenting exciting plans to connect with audiences and communities who don’t currently visit science centres or engage with learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Eureka! Mersey is designed as a sister site for the children’s museum’s base in Halifax.

The £11m project will be based in an expansion of the existing Spaceport tourist attraction, and is expected to create 28 full-time and 91 indirect jobs.

Other funding sources, including Wirral Council and Merseytravel, have already been confirmed.

The Catalyst Science Discovery Centre in Widnes received £754,600. The museum, which focuses on science and technology in the chemical industry, is aimed at children and features interactive and multi-media exhibits. It is based off Mersey Road off the A533.

The funding is being delivered through the Inspiring Science Fund, a joint initiative by Wellcome and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

The fund aims to support underserved and underrepresented audiences, delivering science learning and engagement opportunities that are accessible to all through Science Centres around the country.

Science Minister Sam Gyimah said: “We want to bring the wonders of science to as wide an audience as possible and that’s why it is at the heart of our modern industrial strategy.

“Today’s investment will help inspire people from across the country to learn about the truly amazing benefits that science and technology has on all our lives.”

Wirral Council leader, Cllr Phil Davies, said: “A world-class, family-friendly, innovative and incredibly successful attraction like Eureka! would be a welcome addition to the Mersey waterfront, in an area that has suffered systemic and long-term under-investment in national arts and cultural funding.”

Catalyst Widnes is the only museum in the UK which explores the science and technology behind the chemical industry and its impact on our lives past and present.

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