£345,000 To Take Science To Communities

24th September 2012

Archaeology in Argyll, climate change in East Lothian and science workshops at music festivals are among the projects to benefit from the new Talking Science fund.

Overall, 16 projects will share around £345,000 funding and will aim to increase understanding of science among an audience of over 117,000 Scots.

Minister for Science Alasdair Allan said:"Scotland has a rich history and exciting future in the world of science. We are a nation of discovery and invention and science remains a popular choice in our schools, but it is important to ensure a wider understanding of its role is maintained within the wider population.

"A quick scan of the subjects we've been able to fund underlines the diverse nature of this area - the environment, marine life, archaeology and stem-cell research are just some of the specialities covered.

"Science is the fabric of life. Through this funding we will take science out to a range of hard to reach audiences, including some of our more remote rural communities, and help ensure that Scotland remains a 'science nation'."

The projects to be funded are as follows:

Hope Beyond Hype - stories about stem cell science (£40,000)
Rock the Lab (£40,000)
Science of Trees and Gardens (Edinburgh) (£40,000)
The Travelling Museum of British Invention (£40,000)
Elements - Science for all (Bute) (£25,000)
Our Green Places (£25,000)
Science with Spokes - Realising Rural Research (Aberdeenshire) (£25,000)
CLAN - Community Led Ambassadors Network (Glasgow) (£25,000)
Science on Your Doorstep (Highlands and Islands) (£25,000)
Homeland Argyll and Bute (£10,000)
John Muir Award for hard to reach groups (£10,000)
Professor Egghead 'Just in Time' (East Lothian) (£10,000)
Zombie Science - Worst Case Scenario Workshop (Highlands and Islands) (£10,000)
The Bright Club - Cutting Edge (Highlands and Islands) (£5,471)
Talking Science (Coatbridge) (£4,844)
Wee Stories: Hickory and Dickory Dock (Edinburgh/Highlands) (£8,000).