BP accused of ‘insidious’ influence on UK education through Science Museum links | BP
Campaigners have accused BP of having an insidious influence on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) education in the UK through its relationship with the Science Museum.
Documents obtained under freedom of information legislation show how the company funded a research project that led to the creation of the Science Museum Group academy – its teacher and educator training program – which BP sponsors and which has delivered more than 500 courses, for more than 5,000 teachers.
Activists say the documents reveal the extent of control the company had over the research project, called Enterprising Science. The contract establishing the collaboration specifies that major decisions will only be “validly adopted… if the BP representative votes in favor”.
Chris Garrard, of campaign group Culture Unstained, said: “BP’s toxic influence on young people’s learning is calculated and insidious.
“We don’t allow tobacco companies to get involved in developing educational approaches, so why should BP – a company that is ignoring the scientific consensus on climate change by increasing oil and gas drilling – be able to acquire such an influential and important role?
The Science Museum rejected the allegations, saying that although BP funded the Enterprising Science project and sponsored the academy, it had “no involvement in research or educational production.”
A spokesperson said: “The sponsorship we receive from a wide range of funders, including BP which supports the Science Museum Group academy, is essential to our mission to inspire millions of people each year. The Science Museum Group retains editorial control of all training and resources produced by the academy.”
BP said in a statement: “The project led to the creation of the Science Museum Academy in 2018, which continues to inspire educators by providing engaging Stem experiences in and out of the classroom. »
The Science Museum has faced repeated criticism over its links to BP. She was forced to defend them last year after the company announced it was abandoning its climate goals to focus on increasing fossil fuel production.
Garrard said: “With young people refusing to lend their talents to fossil fuel producers and students barring them from their recruitment fairs, the industry is facing a recruitment crisis. So whose side is the Science Museum really on when it supports BP?”
The museum faces a growing campaign, not only from climate groups but also schools and teachers unions, over its links to fossil fuels.
National Education Union Greens representative Helen Tucker said more teachers were asking if they could take part in the Science Museum’s academy “whose curriculum was developed under the supervision of people who are causing climate change – BP”.
“As educators, it is our responsibility to resist the greenwashing and image whitewashing of those who are destroying our children’s futures. We all have too much to lose. The NEU will continue to support the boycott of the Science Museum until this state-funded institution learns how to train Stem educators without allowing fossil fuel producers to profit.”
More than 400 teachers and scientists have pledged to boycott the Science Museum in 2022.
