1.  THE ROLE OF SCIENCE CENTRES IN PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND ATTRACTING YOUNG PEOPLE TO SCIENCE SUBJECTS AND SCIENTIFIC CAREERS

  The UK has a well-established network of science and discovery centres which collectively attract over 11 million visits each year.[23] Science centres are making a positive effort to maintain young people's interest in contemporary science. They build connections between science and the public by:

—  improving the quality of debate around contemporary science;

—  supporting the work of teachers and enhancing the experience of learners; and

—  raising awareness of science across a wide range of audiences.

  The Natural History Museum (NHM), like all national museums, differs from a science centre in that it cares for the national collection of natural history specimens. Science centres and museums do, however, demonstrate similar philosophies as regards the engagement of the public in science learning. With an informed and engaged public, science can fully play its crucial role in boosting competitiveness, enhancing our quality of life and ensuring a sustainable future. The NHM has a vested interest in inspiring young people in science to ensure that we can recruit from a vibrant pool of scientists in the future and to ensure that our collection and legacy continues for generations to come.

  We are one of the UK's most visited cultural attractions, with 3.8 million visitors in 2006. We regard ourselves as experts in science communication. Learning is central to our mission. We use our collections, science and interpretation expertise to provide an authoritative forum for the public to engage with science. The variety of our public offer is the key to attracting diverse audiences. Our Investigate hands-on lab and Nature Live presentations by our real-life scientists are just two aspects of a programme designed to bring the visitor an authentic experience of what it is like to be a scientist. Above all, we make learning about science engaging, relevant and fun.

  The NHM is helping to fill a recognised skills gap due to falling levels of uptake in science subjects at university level. We provide expertise, collaboration and resources for learning for Reception, through Key Stages 1, 2, 3, 4, A level and to PhD level.

  We are not pursuing a strategy in isolation of our regional partners though. The NHM works in partnership with other museums formally, through government funded programmes. Real World Science is a partnership between the Natural History Museum, the Manchester Museum, the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and The Hancock Museum, funded by the DfES/DCMS Strategic Commissioning Education Programme (£395,000 over three years). The project, now in its third year, has seen 14,111 secondary science students involved in museum based activities across the partnership.

2.  THE FUNDING AVAILABLE FROM CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

  As a national museum, the NHM is funded through annual grant-in-aid by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. We differ from science centres within that strict definition in that we maintain and develop the national natural history collection, comprising 70 million specimens. The cost inherent in maintaining the collection and ensuring its accessibility to the public could never be underwritten solely by commercial or private sector fundraising activities.

3.  ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF FUNDING

  The NHM has exploited a number of ways to generate funds to supplement grant-in-aid. Our science is supported by research grant funding from the Research Councils, the European Union, and Trusts and Foundations. We fundraise proactively through relationships with individuals and business. We are grateful to our volunteer base— we currently have around 70 trained volunteers delivering aspects of and enriching the learning programme.

  Since museums went free in 2001, we have demonstrated a significant rise in revenue generated through commercial activities. We have one of the highest levels of trading income of any UK museum. We use our brand, knowledge, estate and intellectual property to commercially support our work and add value to the taxpayer. The UK network of science centres and museums itself provides a number of commercial opportunities for the NHM—we are currently touring our third exhibition at Centre For Life, Newcastle and have hired out exhibitions to @ Bristol, Dynamic Earth, W5 and Magna.

  The NHM has also been awarded funding from alternative sources within central government, for example, through the DCMS/DfES Strategic Commissioning Education Programme.

4.  WAYS OF SUPPORTING THE LONG TERM FUTURE OF SCIENCE AND DISCOVERY CENTRES

  As a member of Ecsite and Ecsite-UK we are in a position to observe and support our fellow institutions in their role in science communication. The NHM recognises the important work carried out by science centres: their work contributes to the government's objective to inspire interest in STEM and Life Sciences. We recognise that there is a case for Central Government to support some science centres that merit long term investment.

June 2007