The home to the nation’s maritime collection has announced plans to get more children interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The Scottish Maritime Museum is implementing a schools travel subsidy to increase the number of Ayrshire schoolchildren participating in so-called STEM activities.

Primary schools are eligible for the financial help of up to £250 towards private coach hire to the museum at Irvine Harbourside.

The scheme, which applies to visits between now and June 2020, is designed, in particular, to enable schools in areas of deprivation, rural isolation or without access to public transport, to take part in Curriculum for Excellence linked out-of-school STEM learning at the museum.

Bookings are being accepted for now until summer 2020 and is offered on a first come, first served basis.

Jamie Menzies, learning and access officer at the Scottish Maritime Museum, said: “With a nationally recognised collection of maritime heritage and engineering, the Scottish Maritime Museum is an exciting and directly relatable place for schoolchildren to embrace STEM learning, in particular engineering and mathematics.

“We have great trails, workshops and a flexible programme which means schools can choose between activities led by trained staff or self-guided experiences.

“Our education team is also happy to develop bespoke sessions catered to an individual school’s needs.

“We’re excited to offer this travel subsidy and welcome more schoolchildren to the Museum, particularly those who have been unable to visit before due to prohibitive transport costs.”

Teachers can call 01294 278283 or register via an online form at scottishmaritimemuseum.org/schools-school-booking-request/