Google gifts €1m to Science Gallery to spawn Global Science Gallery Network

The gift is part of over US$100m in total charitable giving from Google in 2011.

Since opening in Dublin in February 2008, Science Gallery has welcomed over 800,000 visitors to 18 diverse exhibitions, ranging in theme from contagion to the future of fashion.  

GSGN will be modelled on this fun approach to engaging young people in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects and potentially help them carve out future careers in this area.

Welcoming the news this morning, Dr Michael Gorman, founding director of Trinity's Science Gallery, said that by offering this "transformational support", Google will help to take Science Gallery to the next level and allow it to scale its impact internationally.

"Our vision is to share Science Gallery's unique approach to public engagement at the interface of science and art. We're planning eight Science Gallery hubs around the world by 2020, developed in partnership with leading universities in key cities such as London and Moscow. In each city, we tap into a vibrant local creative community of researchers, designers, artists and entrepreneurs to engage and inspire the next generation of innovators," said Gorman today.

Gorman said that Google had been a dynamic supporter of Science Gallery Dublin from the outset.

"This very generous gift is further testament to their commitment to supporting initiatives which will help us to inspire and engage more people across the globe with science and technology," he said.

GSGN will be officially launched in July 2012, during Dublin's tenure as European City of Science.

David Martin, director, Geo Operations EMEA, Google, this morning added how it was "fantastic" to be able to point to Science Gallery as a very "vivid and engaging example of the innovative spirit that we often talk of as critical to Ireland's future".

"Having seen the success of Science Gallery in Dublin, we recognise the potential for other cities and we are very pleased to support the work of the Gallery with this gift," said Martin.