‘Girls and Science’ aims to get high schoolers interested in a career in STEM

Francis Ritchie-Poirier, research assistant in the engineering physics department at Polytechnique Montréal demonstrates on the control panel of the Slowpoke nuclear reactor, the only working nuclear reactor in Quebec, in Montreal on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Hundreds of high school girls had the opportunity on Saturday to learn more about science-related careers during the “Girls and Science: An Electrifying Duo!” events held in Montreal and Saguenay.

The initiative, which specifically targets students in Grades 8 through 10, aims not only to introduce them to careers that are sometimes overlooked but also to show girls that they are capable of pursuing fields that remain predominantly male-dominated.

Stéphanie Jolicoeur, a science communicator and spokesperson for the “Girls and Science” initiative, explained that these events are designed to build girls’ confidence and inspire them to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

“It’s about introducing them to fields that are sometimes overlooked and helping them discover the careers of the future. So, it’s about telling them that if they’re thinking about studying science and technology, they can do it, they’re capable of it, and they have the intelligence to do so,” she said in an interview during the event in Montreal.

In Montreal, “Girls and Science: An Electrifying Duo!” took place at Polytechnique Montréal, while the initiative was held at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi in Saguenay.

Although progress has been made in STEM fields in recent years, gender inequalities remain, Jolicoeur said.

“If we look at STEM as a whole, women make up about 25 per cent of students in college and university programs. And it’s not the same across all fields,” she said.

She explained that more women and girls are found, for example, in biology, biomedical sciences, and life sciences. “But we agree that in certain fields—such as physics, computer science, and robotics—we’re still very far from achieving that level of representation,” the spokesperson added.

Jolicoeur, who publishes popular science content on social media under the name “Miss Entropie,” says, however, that she has noticed that, more so than previous generations, girls are “more aware that they are just as intelligent as boys.”

A physics major who posts content on a wide range of scientific topics and the history of war, she recounts that even elementary-school-aged girls have come up to her at events to tell her they watch her videos.

“That said, it’s still the same problem: we’re taught so much to doubt ourselves so easily. When we make mistakes—which are completely normal in life—we’re very hard on ourselves when we do … and we’re more afraid of the repercussions on our careers,” Jolicoeur said.

She recommends that young girls considering studying STEM fields go for it and give it a try, because that’s the only way they’ll know if they enjoy these fields. She also encourages them to be leaders if they feel called to do so.

“Female leadership is extremely important and complements traditional male leadership very well,” the spokesperson said.

The next events for the “Girls and Science” initiative will take place in Sherbrooke and Quebec City on Nov. 14 and 21, respectively. An event had already been held on Oct. 29 in Rimouski.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Nov. 7, 2026.

Coralie Laplante, The Canadian Press