Eureka! Mersey and Catalyst Science Discovery Centre have collectively received millions of pounds of funding to help attract thousands of new visitors and inspire a new generation of science enthusiasts
The centres will receive new funding, with Eureka! Mersey receiving £3 million, taking the new venue closer to opening its doors in 2021, and Catalyst £754,600 through the Inspiring Science Fund. The centres were successful in their funding applications 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).
The funding will help each centre create new learning activities to help reach audiences, improve their facilities and develop sustainable business models to ensure continued success for years to come.
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 in the North West will help inspire people to learn about the truly amazing benefits that science and technology has on all our lives.”
Simon Chaplin, Director of Culture & Society, Wellcome, said: “At Wellcome we focus on people, and our public engagement activity is about helping everyone to play their own role in improving health. The Inspiring Science Fund enables science centres across the country to bring science, health and research closer to public. We’re looking forward to seeing how the successful centres develop and how they use this funding to involve ever more people in science in a way that is relevant and useful to their own lives.”
Eureka! Mersey, which is due to open in 2021, will offer young visitors bespoke and exciting experiences in science, technology, engineering, arts and maths.
The Catalyst Science Discovery Centre in Widnes will explore new thinking around the relationship between science and wellbeing, developing new spaces and exhibits which will aim to inspire a future generation of scientists across the region.
Across the UK £13 million is being invested in six science centres. The new funding will be delivered through the Inspiring Science Fund, a joint initiative by Wellcome and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. The Inspiring Science 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.
