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Science: Finance

Answer

Promoting engagement with science and enhancing the science learning experience in schools are key objectives behind the commitments set out in the Government's science strategy document ““The Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004 to 2014 Next Steps””, and are supported by the Department and the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).(a) The Department provided £1 million, as part of a £2 million joint DfES/DTI funding package, to science centres in 2004 to 2006 to help alleviate short term funding problems. Between November 2006 and March 2008, we are providing £500,000 to Ecsite UK, the science centre umbrella body, to fund a £750,000 project to help science centres become financially viable. Specifically, this project aims to enable the science centres to:"demonstrate the impact and the added-value they deliver;""work more effectively together, and collaboratively with museums, SETNET, Science Learning Centres and Science Cities; and,""maximise their future financial viability."In addition, £33,000 was provided to Ecsite UK in 2006-07.(b) OSI works closely with DfES to promote the teaching of science in schools, and drive forward the recommendations set out in the 2006 STEM programme report. OSI has also continued to fund a number of related projects and activities to develop effective public engagement in science and technology through a number of key mechanisms:Promoting public engagement in science"Over £1.5 million has already been committed to the Sciencewise programme. More than 10 projects on a range of critical science challenges, including brain science, stem cells research, and nanotechnology have been supported. Sciencehorizons is the first ever mass public engagement programme designed to get the nation talking about how science and technology could affect our lives in the next 15 to 20 years. OSI is also undertaking work to develop an Expert Resource Centre for Public Dialogue on Science and Innovation (ERC), for launch in April 2008.""£280,000 in 2006-07 was given to the British Association for the Advancement of Science (BA) for organisation of National Science and Engineering Week (held in March this year). A grant of £100,000 enabled over 300 ‘hard-to-reach’ schools to participate, many for the first time. £200,000 was also provided for the 2006 BA Festival of Science.""We are also actively encouraging other organisations to develop and fund their own activities in this area, and we particularly welcome the recent announcement of the four-year Beacons for Public Engagement pilot programme, funded by Research Councils UK, the higher education funding councils and the Wellcome Trust. The national academies (British Academy, The Royal Academy of Engineering and Royal Society) receive part of their funding as grant-in-aid from my Department. They too play a role in enhancing public engagement with science, technology and engineering issues, and have an interest in improving the teaching of these subjects in schools."Adding Value to Science Teaching"As part of a £6.7 million programme funded by DTI, the Science, Engineering, Technology and Maths Network (SETNET) runs the science engineering ambassadors (SEAs) scheme, in which young scientists act as role models for school students. There are now more than 13,000 ambassadors representing a variety of industries stimulating scientific interest among school children which aims to have 18,000 SEAs in place by March 2008.""Funding for the BA also goes to support their CREST award scheme, which offers young people the opportunity to take part directly in scientific research and engineering projects. In 2006-07 this funding amounted to £220,000."

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

136251; 460 c484-5W

Session

2006-07

Subjects

Finance Science

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk