FUEL company Esso, which is closing a major research centre in Oxfordshire, is to sponsor a problem-solving project for schoolchildren before it leaves.
The company has agreed a 3,000 grant to fund the Ourselves in the Environment project.
Year Nine pupils in several schools are to be given project briefs covering topics such as energy, landfill sites and ecology issues.
The cash, from the Esso Research Centre at Milton Hill, near Didcot, will fund development work and buy equipment for the projects, which will be available for schools to use in future years. Ms Christine Pickavance, SOEBP manager, said: "Over the years, Esso has worked closely with local schools to enhance the delivery of Science. Their expertise will be greatly missed."
Esso spokesman Mr David Eglinton said the future of the Milton Hill site was still undecided as the details of the closure are still being worked out.
Esso has confirmed it plans to sell the site as a research centre, but industrial commercial use is still an option.
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