Science education in public schools got a big boost yesterday with the announcement of a $65,000 grant for courses and trips to overseas workshops.

In a Press conference at the Department of Education, Heddington Insurance, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Texaco Corporation, the Bermuda Biological Station for Research, and ministry officials said the economic boost could only benefit children.

The Bermuda Schools Science Enrichment programme will "expose students to a memorable experience that can be a positive impact on their future,'' BBSR education officer Helle Patterson said.

Chief education officer Joseph Christopher said the ministry was pleased with the programmes devised by the Bio Station and hoped it might induce more young people to study the sciences.

The grant is intended to enhance environmental education in public schools through financing three teachers to attend this summer's Marine Educator's conference in South Carolina, and general courses in Bermuda.

In addition, primary school teachers will get an understanding and help teach scientific aspects of the curriculum.

The money will also go toward supplying transportation to and from schools for class field trips to such areas as Nonesuch Island, Walsingham Pond, the BBSR, and the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo.

Ms Patterson said often the most difficult part of local field trips was transportation.

She said the Aquarium had quickly given support to the Texaco Foundation grant because administrators there agreed it was often difficult to get students around the Island.

BBSR director Tony Knap said science was an important part of a multi-disciplinary education, and added: "In fact lots of scientists are being poached by businesses.'' Dr. Christopher said: "Bermuda itself tends not to produce scientists. Dr.

Knap is right, they tend to go into medicine.'' To the extent that we can get them into the sciences, I think it is a excellent opportunity.'' Dr. Christopher added: "I would like to give credit to the education officers of strengthening the link to the Bio Station so that when this opportunity became available we could seize it.'' Dr. Joseph Christopher SCIENCE SCI EDUCATION ED