Our Dynamic Earth Welcomes Funding Boost

10 January 2008

OUR DYNAMIC EARTH WELCOMES FUNDING BOOST

The announcement that the Scottish Government
will continue to provide investment in the four Scottish science centres
for the next three years has been welcomed by Our Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh’s
five-star visitor attraction dedicated to the story of Planet Earth.

Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education
and Lifelong Learning, has committed up to £2.43 million per annum towards
science engagement in Scotland provided by the Scottish Science Centres
Network. Funding will be offered across the network on a 36-month basis.
It is expected that Our Dynamic Earth, one of four in Scotland which bring
science to life for thousands of visitors, will receive around £2.3 million
over the next three years.

John Simpson, Chief Executive, of Our Dynamic
Earth welcomed the announcement by saying: “This is a wonderful
endorsement of Our Dynamic Earth by the Government and one which recognises
the contribution already made by us toward science engagement for people
of all ages and backgrounds. We will be examining the key areas of
our operation – the visitor attraction itself, our dedicated educational
facilities, our community engagement and outreach work, as well as our
event programme – to determine where the best return for the Government
can be achieved. This funding announcement allows us to plan for
an exciting future and will help us deliver key scientific messages to
audiences wanting to know more about our planet.”

For further information, please contact:

Anne McMunn or Susannah McMicking

CM Porter Novelli

Tel: 0131 470 3400

Email: [email protected]