On February 21 at the Montreal Science Centre, Samantha Pelletier-Ouellet, a Physics Engineer at ABB, stood in front of a room of young girls and did something simple but powerful: she made engineering real. Her session, "Space Engineer: Light as a Super Tool," wasn't about equations or jargon. It was about showing how light something they see every day becomes a tool that scientists use to monitor our planet, measure atmospheric conditions, and build the sustainable technologies our world needs.
"When a young mind walks away understanding the power of light and recognizes she could be part of building technologies that impact our world," Samantha reflected, "that spark of curiosity can influence her future choices in powerful ways."
Empowering the next generation of girls in STEM
This event sits at the heart of what ABB stands for: building a more sustainable, resource-efficient world. Education is how we get there. By making learning opportunities more accessible, especially in fields like STEM, we're investing in the people who will solve tomorrow's biggest challenges. That's how real change happens.
Interest in STEM often begins in early childhood, but it takes more than curiosity to keep girls engaged. Visible role models, hands-on experiences, and inclusive learning environments make all the difference. Without them, many young girls never see themselves reflected in STEM careers and without that reflection, their sense of what's possible shrinks.
ABB Canada decided to bring this possibility directly to students. We brought real Canadian innovation to the stage, Measurement and Analytics tools developed right here and deployed globally across energy, industrial, and environmental sectors. Tools that monitor Earth's atmosphere. Tools that help companies optimize energy use. Tools that support sustainability. These aren't theoretical examples. They're solutions built by people, tested by engineers, making real impact in the world right now.
We wanted girls to see that breakthrough innovation doesn't happen in some distant lab or only for certain people. It happens here. In Canada. And it absolutely can be done by people who look like them.
During the event, participants had the chance to engage hands-on with real technologies, ask engineers about their journeys, and explore how innovation directly supports sustainability and global problem-solving. 
Samantha Pelletier‑Ouellet, Physics Engineer at ABB, spoke to young girls and brought engineering to life in a powerful, relatable way. 
A full house of future innovators ready to explore the wonders of science and technology. 
A team of ABB employees came together onsite to engage with young innovators and spark curiosity about science and engineering. 
This event speaks to ABB’s mission: a more sustainable, resource‑efficient world powered by education and access. Investing in STEM learning today helps the innovators of tomorrow shape real solutions. 
Far from a single moment, this reflects ABB Canada’s long‑term commitment to nurturing diverse talent, supporting community learning, and helping solve real global challenges.
The day that made a difference
What made the real difference was access and visibility. Girls got to talk directly with women engineers. They could ask questions without filters. They could touch technology, ask "why," and get real answers. They saw how data flows from a satellite to a scientist's screen to actual environmental action to solutions that matter.
Katie Bessette, ABB Canada's Country HR Manager, mentions: "Early exposure to STEM has lasting impact. When young girls see engineers who look like them and understand how technology contributes to solving real-world challenges, it expands their sense of what is possible."
Beyond the presentation, participants had the chance to engage hands-on with real technologies, ask engineers about their journeys, and explore how innovation directly supports sustainability and global problem-solving. These weren't abstract concepts anymore—they were tangible, achievable, inspiring.
This is just the beginning
This wasn't a one-off event. ABB Canada is committed to this work for the long term: building diverse talent pipelines, investing in community learning tied to real global challenges, and creating lasting social impact.
Innovation doesn't start in university. It starts with a spark of curiosity, early enough and open enough for everyone to feel welcome. That's what drives this work across Canada and beyond.
