Caithness International Science Festival to get £10,000 from Scottish Government to help run 2023 event
Organisers of the Caithness International Science Festival are delighted that the Scottish Government has awarded them £10,000 towards this year's event.
The festival began in 2003 and has grown into one of the largest events held in the county each year. It aims to showcase the diverse nature of science, technology, engineering, art and maths and celebrate how Caithness contributes to these disciplines, as well as welcoming presenters, lecturers and visiting science centres from across the UK and the rest of the world.
The grant towards this year's Caithness festival, organised by Science03, comes as part of a range of funding from the Scottish Government to promote the benefits of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) among school pupils.
Professor Iain Baikie, chairman of the festival, said: "I'm absolutely delighted to learn that we've got a grant from the Scottish Government, and we thank them for continuing to support our festival.
"I think this festival is badly needed for Caithness and north Sutherland. We're a very isolated area and getting these presenters to come up from the south into our schools and the interactions we get at the family fun day, they are absolutely wonderful.
"We look forward to organising this next festival, which will be our 21st."
Nationally, the STEM programmes Generation Science and the Young Engineers and Science Clubs will benefit from a total award of £100,000, while further funding will be given to science festivals including those in Orkney and Dundee, as well as in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling.
The funding supports the Scottish Government’s STEM Education and Training Strategy and the commitment to equip communities and young people – particularly those from remote and deprived areas – with STEM skills to tackle current and real life challenges, including climate change and health related issues.
Minister for further education, higher education, youth employment and training Jamie Hepburn said: “We are working hard to ensure we maximise the number of people highly educated and skilled in STEM to adapt to the challenges of today and in the future.
“These initiatives can help inspire a generation of scientists, engineers, mathematicians and innovators, and develop the talent which will required in our future workforce.”
Caithness International Science Festival is managed and run by Science03, a Caithness-based charity operated by a group of committed professionals, including teachers, engineers and scientists. Its core purpose is to bring fun and interactive learning experiences to people of all ages and from all backgrounds in the Caithness community.