Why Is Big Oil Curricula Finding Acceptance In Educational Settings? - CleanTechnica

The article discusses the growing presence and acceptance of Big Oil-funded curricula in educational settings, focusing on the example of Equinor, a Norwegian oil company sponsoring STEM classrooms called Newton Rooms in the Shetland Islands, UK. While these initiatives aim to promote STEM education and engage youth in science and technology, they are also viewed as strategic moves by oil companies to protect their business interests and shape public perception. Equinor has invested heavily in sponsorships across educational institutions and programs, including scholarships, research, and interactive games designed to influence children’s understanding of energy, often downplaying the environmental impact of fossil fuels. Critics, including local politicians like Highlands and Islands MSP Ariane Burgess, express concern over the influence that fossil fuel companies have on educational content, arguing that it risks presenting a biased narrative that favors the industry’s image rather than providing a full and truthful account of climate change. The article highlights tensions around Equinor’s ongoing oil and gas projects, such as the controversial Rosebank