Skip to main content
The Association for Science and Discovery Centres
  • About
  • News
  • Jobs
  • Membership
  • Funding opportunities
  • Contact
  • National projects
  • Find a centre
  • Events and training
  • Conference
  • Resources
  • About
  • News
  • Jobs
  • Membership
  • Funding opportunities
  • Contact

Science and Technology Select Committee report into the funding of science and discovery centres, October 22 2007

Downloads

  • Download the full report (PDF, 504.2kB)
  • Download the Select Committee's press release (DOC, 48.0kB)

Executive Summary

Science and discovery centres contribute to the education of young people about science and inspire them to take up careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. They also engage the public with scientific issues and play important roles in their local communities. However, there is widespread concern about the future of science centres.

Many science centres are struggling financially. We agree with the Government’s stance that it should not fund failing science centres and note that there is a lack of robust evidence that demonstrates how effective science centres are in terms of their core goals. We recommend that the Government commission independent research to ascertain the effectiveness of science centres.

In the short term there are a number of science centres that risk closure and the Government should take steps to ensure that this does not happen. We recommend that the Government make available limited, competitively-awarded, short-term funding to support those science centres that are struggling financially. We also recommend that steps are taken to reduce the tax burden on science and other educational centres.

We found the level of co-ordination and collaboration between science centres and between science centres and other bodies to be variable. The Association for Science and Discovery Centres is well placed to assess models that exist in Scotland and internationally, with a view to implementing structural and best practice guidance that promotes co-ordination between science centres across the UK. In terms of Government co-ordination, there has been uncertainty about which department has responsibility for science centres. We welcome the Minister for Science and Innovation’s offer, on behalf of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, to take responsibility for science centres, and recommend that this responsibility be formally written into the Minister’s portfolio.

October 22 2007

Related content

  • Evidence submitted by science centres to the Select Committee
  • ASDC response to the Science and Technology Select Committee report into the funding of science and discovery centres, October 22 2007
  • Government response to the October 22 2007 Select Committee report

National Impact

Useful links

  • Accessibility in science centres
  • Climate Hub UK
  • Code of conduct
  • Inclusion handbook
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Where to find us online

  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Our Address

  • Suite 101, QC30
  • 30 Queen Charlotte Street
  • Bristol
  • BS1 4HJ
  • T: 0117 915 0181