Environmental campaigners have launched a fierce attack on BP, accusing the oil and gas giant of exerting an 'insidious' and calculated influence over science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) education in the UK through its deep ties to the Science Museum.
Contract Reveals BP's Veto Power
Documents obtained under Freedom of Information laws have shed new light on the relationship. They show that BP funded the Enterprising Science research project, which led directly to the creation of the Science Museum Group Academy—the institution's teacher training programme.
The academy, which BP now sponsors, has run more than 500 courses for over 5,000 teachers. Crucially, the collaboration contract stated that major decisions on the project would not be valid unless BP's representative voted in favour, granting the company significant oversight.
"BP's toxic influence over young people's learning is calculated and insidious," said Chris Garrard of the campaign group Culture Unstained. "We wouldn't allow tobacco companies to be involved in crafting approaches to education, so why should BP... be able to buy such an influential and prominent role?"
Museum and BP Deny Influence Over Content
The Science Museum Group has strongly dismissed the claims. A spokesperson insisted that while BP funded the initial research and sponsors the academy, it has "no involvement in the research or educational output."
"The sponsorship we receive... is vital to our mission," the spokesperson said, adding that the museum retains full editorial control over all academy training and resources.
In its own statement, BP said the project "continues to inspire educators delivering engaging STEM experiences." However, the museum has faced sustained criticism for its fossil fuel links, particularly after BP announced last year it was abandoning climate targets to increase oil and gas production.
Growing Boycott from Teachers and Unions
The controversy has sparked a significant backlash within the education sector. The campaign against the museum's sponsors is growing, now supported by climate groups, schools, and teachers' unions.
In 2022, more than 400 teachers and scientists pledged to boycott the Science Museum. Helen Tucker, the National Education Union's green representative, said educators are questioning their participation in an academy whose curriculum was developed with oversight from "the very people who are causing climate change."
"As educators, it is our responsibility to resist the greenwashing... of those destroying our children's futures," Tucker stated. "The NEU will continue to support the boycott until this publicly funded institution learns how to train STEM educators without allowing fossil fuel producers to profit from it."
Garrard framed the issue as a battle for the future, asking: "With young people refusing to lend their talents to fossil fuel producers... whose side is the Science Museum really on when it backs BP?" The institution now faces mounting pressure to sever its ties with the industry as the debate over corporate influence in education intensifies.
