Queensland Museum's Controversial Partnership with Shell QGC

Queensland Museum is facing criticism for allegedly misleading educators and students regarding the causes of climate change through its partnership with Shell's Queensland Gas Company (Shell QGC). Since 2015, Shell QGC has contributed approximately AUD 10.25 million (USD 6.94 million) to the museum's Future Makers program, which targets school children as young as nine years old. Critics argue that the educational materials produced under this partnership fail to adequately identify fossil fuels as a primary driver of climate change.

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The Future Makers program, sponsored by Shell QGC, includes lesson plans, learning activities, and design challenges. However, a report by the climate advocacy group Comms Declare highlights that these materials present a one-sided view of energy futures, downplaying the role of fossil fuels. Belinda Noble, founder of Comms Declare, noted that the program promotes misleading concepts such as carbon capture as a viable solution to climate change and falsely positions gas companies as part of the solution. The materials have reportedly been downloaded over 400,000 times, raising concerns about their influence on young learners’ understanding of climate issues.

The Guardian

Lesley Hughes, a climate change scientist and professor emerita at Macquarie University, expressed her dismay at the involvement of a fossil fuel company in shaping science education for future generations. Dr. Eve Mayes, a research fellow at Deakin University, emphasized the potential conflict of interest, questioning how such partnerships might steer the narrative around climate change in educational settings. Comms Declare's report argues that by omitting fossil fuels from climate change discussions, the program undermines students' understanding of essential cause-and-effect relationships, ultimately eroding climate literacy.

The GuardianDeSmog

In response to the criticism, Queensland Museum defended the Future Makers program, asserting that it has successfully delivered hands-on science and technology initiatives that inspire students and educators. The museum stated that all learning resources align with federal and state education curriculums and undergo regular reviews. However, the museum did not directly address the concerns regarding the appropriateness of a fossil fuel company sponsoring climate education.

The Guardian

The partnership has raised legal questions regarding compliance with the Queensland Museum Act, which mandates the museum to provide leadership in communicating the state's natural heritage. A legal analysis commissioned by Comms Declare suggests that the partnership may contravene this principle, particularly given the environmental impacts of Shell QGC's operations on Queensland's heritage.

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The controversy surrounding the Queensland Museum's partnership with Shell QGC has prompted calls from the Greens, including Michael Berkman, a Green MP for Maiwar, for the Queensland Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek to intervene and terminate the partnership. As the debate continues, the future of the Future Makers program and its educational materials remains uncertain, with advocates urging a reevaluation of the museum's affiliations and the content it provides to educators and students.

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