Efforts to promote science to young people will be backed with a share of £3 million, the Scottish Government has announced.
Learning, science and languages minister Alasdair Allan said funds include £2.5 million for the four science centres in Scotland, as well as cash for festivals, workshops and clubs.
“Scotland continues to play an important role in the ongoing history of science, engineering and technological advances,” he said.
“Making science accessible to the public through a range of activities and events will help ensure that future generations are inspired to continue this legacy.”
His comments were timed to coincide with a debate on science in which Dr Allan set out his hopes for Scotland to be a “science nation”.
Labour, while welcoming the intention, questioned whether debating time could be better spent hearing from experts in the field.
Hugh Henry said: “Two hours and 50 minutes for the people here today could actually have been better spent on a round-table with scientists, academics and teachers, and indeed with students and with pupils.”
