About $25,000 is being sought to extend the Otago Museum's successful national SciCity science education programme.
Organisers who aimed to boost awareness of science and technology among young people have created the virtual science "city", which youngsters can access via the Internet.
Since its launch in August 2007, SciCity has proved unexpectedly popular, attracting more than 100,000 visits by Internet users - a total more than three times higher than the project's initial 30,000 target, a recent report noted.
It has also attracted about 10,000 members throughout the country.
Funding was initially provided by the Department of Internal Affairs Digital Strategy Fund, with support also coming from IBM and Internet-related firm ZeDDD.
SciCity has also proved a particularly attractive learning resource for youngsters in rural areas, organisers say.
In a recent report, Otago Museum chief executive Shimrath Paul said SciCity had not only gained members in cities and towns throughout New Zealand but had also been particularly successful in smaller communities, where it had gained a disproportionately high membership.
Akaroa was a "great example" of this, with the number of signed-up members exceeding 25% of the town's recorded population, Mr Paul said.
Organisers have submitted a proposal to the Royal Society of New Zealand, seeking $25,000 to update and continue the project in 2009.
Dr David Hutchinson, a University of Otago physicist who is a member of the society's governing council, said society authorities had subsequently agreed to provide $5000 to help update part of the SciCity programme.
The Otago Institute, which is the Otago branch of the Royal Society, is also likely to consider a proposal to provide some funding.
