The ENS Paris-Saclay Welcomes High School Girls from the Fondation L’Oréal’s“For Girls in Science” Program

A Program to Fight for Equality

In 2014, the Fondation L’Oréal launched its “For Girls in Science” program, with the goal of lifting barriers and encouraging more young girls to pursue scientific careers. Through this partnership, the ENS Paris-Saclay and the Fondation L’Oréal work in collaboration to challenge stereotypes on scientific careers and the place of women in research.

Immersion in a High-End Scientific Environment

Upon arriving, the girls received a warm welcome from Anne Peyroche, the School’s vice-president in charge of strategy and resources, Claire Lambard, advisor for diversity and inclusion at the School, and Myriam Hayatou, director of the “For Girls in Science” program at the Fondation L’Oréal. Their fight for diversity and support for women in research was inspiring, and their message resonated with the girls for the whole day.

The Fondation L’Oréal is thrilled to partner up with the ENS Paris-Saclay to dedicate this day to scientific discovery and to inspire young girls. The ENS Paris-Saclay is a prestigious school, a renowned establishment where future scientific careers are born. Make the best of this opportunity, look for inspiration and believe in your potential! Myriam Hayatou

A presentation on the ENS Paris-Saclay allowed them to discover the diversity found in scientific careers. 

Two researchers from the Light, Matter and Interface (Lumin) lab, Karen Perronet and Marie-Pierre Adam, then gave a passionate presentation on their work and their academic career. With them, the young students explored different facets of the research carried out in this laboratory. Karen encouraged them to pursue scientific studies, stressing how women are still sorely lacking from such fields. “Here, curiosity is not a flaw, in fact, it is quite the opposite: it is what pushes research forward.” 

An Interactive Show on our Society’s Relationship with Digital Science

After this immersion in the world of research, the students were invited to discover the ties between science and art, through a special medium. They attended an interactive show called “Only Happiness (with your sensors)” at the Scène de Rechèrche, the School’s arts & science theater.
This magic show introduced the spectators to a world where humans and electronic devices start to merge: a magician finds out that machines now do more than what he is able to. In such a context, one question comes to mind: must we resist or embrace technology? This captivating show spurred discussions and reflection on the evolution of digital sciences and their impact on our lives.

The students were thrilled to see how arts and science can collaborate to create a new, innovative and fun kind of show, a new way to learn while questioning the limits of science.

Inspiration and Confidence

Furthermore, the round table organized by Claire Lambard gave the girls an opportunity to reinforce their self-confidence by talking with two former students of the School, whose careers inspired them.

• Marie Chupeau (Freshman year of 2009, physics department) was co-founder of Magic Lemp, a start-up company specialised in consulting and training in artificial intelligence.
• Édith Turpyn (Freshman year of 2023, biology department) is pursuing a master’s degree in public health at CNAM Pasteur School in tandem with her studies at the ENS Paris-Saclay.

These two speakers shared their experience and advice, and encouraged the students to believe in their scientific potential.

An Inspiring Event

This day at the ENS Paris-Saclay allowed the high school girls to picture themselves pursuing scientific studies and careers, and to meet women who have done so before them.
Fostering diversity and supporting women in scientific fields is a major social issue. The ENS Paris-Saclay is proud to contribute to these efforts by opening its doors to future scientists. Thanks to its sponsors and partners, the School can develop programs to raise awareness of science in young people, and supports these young, talented minds through the “Women in Science” scholarship.