£135,000 will be invested into Scotland-wide science initiatives that complement and support young peoples’ STEM learning at school and help bring ‘real life’ STEM into the classroom.

The funding will go towards four separate initiatives as follows:

• Generation Science – Edinburgh International Science Festival – £50,000 (Science shows for primary schools)
• Young Engineers and Science Clubs – Scottish Council for Development and Industry – £40,000 (for primary and secondary schools)
• British Science Week – British Science Association – £25,000 (for primary and secondary schools and community organisations)
• GeoBus – University of St Andrews – £20,000 (Geo-scientific activity and learning days for secondary pupils)

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Angela Constance said:

“Earlier this month the Science Minister met pupils from Alness Academy’s Science Club who have represented Scotland and won national prizes for their science and engineering. This is just one example of the range of talented and enthusiastic young people we meet in our schools on a regular basis.

“Recent surveys have suggested that younger children and parents can feel that STEM subjects are difficult or not suited to everyone, but activities that complement simple classroom learning clearly enhance enthusiasm to beyond the school day.

“The technology and engineering sector in Scotland generates turnover of £24.4 billion each year employing 155,000 in total which shows how nurturing an interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) while children and young people are in school has the potential to be literally life changing.

“I hope the funding I am announcing today will stir even more of our young people, particularly girls, to take an interest in science and develop a career in an area that makes the most of their talents.”