Techniquest and Techniquest Glyndwr have been awarded funding by the Welsh Government to expand their science and mathematics programmes in schools.

The organisations, which provide educational services using interactive exhibits and learning materials, have received £1.3m and £349,400 respectively.

Welsh Government funding will be used by the science centres in the delivery of education programmes for Foundation Phase pupils through to 14-19 learning.

Cardiff's Techniquest will also, for the first time in 2012-13, run updated science theatre programmes designed to stimulate in-depth exploration of its main exhibits.

Founded in 1985, Techniquest moved to its current Cardiff home – one of the UK’s first purpose-built science centres – in 1995. Techniquest Glyndwr is sited in Wrexham.

Welsh minister for education and skills Leighton Andrews said: "By stimulating pupils' interest early, we can ensure that more of our young people go on to excel in this area."

Details: www.techniquest.org

Image: Mick Lobb