The Science Museum has received a £13m funding package boost from the government, in order to expand its existing facilities.

New galleries will be built at the museum’s London site, as well as its sister sites in Bradford -and York – The National Media museum and The National Railway Museum.

Prime minister Gordon Brown said: “This museum is a brilliant example of how imagination and energy can bring science to life for young people and give real added value to the fantastic work taking place in schools.”

Culture secretary James Purnell added: “The Science Museum has gone from strength to strength over the last few years, with visit numbers having increased massively since we scrapped admission charges.

“The Science Museum makes a big contribution to the teaching of science in schools, in fostering wider public understanding of science, and in inspiring the next generation of scientists,” responded Science Museum director Martin Earwicker.

“This capital funding, on top of an inflation-proof settlement for our core work, means that we will be able to continue this valuable work in a way that we would wish.”

The Science Museum’s newly refurbished launchpad gallery will open on 24 November to showcase more than 50 interactive exhibits to offer eight to 14-year-olds a widen understanding of physics and general science.

The exhibits in the gallery will follow the themes of Light; Materials; Energy Transfer; Forces and Motion; Electricity and Magnetism and Sound.

The Science Museum’s proposed Inspired Living Landmarks scheme – which aimed to display a further 92 per cent of the museum’s collections in Swindon – was recently eliminated from the Big Lottery Fund’s People’s Millions competition.

A petition to reinstate the scheme has been posted on the 10 Downing Street website, where the public can declare their support until 30 November.