In a groundbreaking initiative to empower young women in Papua New Guinea, ExxonMobil PNG Limited (EMPNG) recently hosted the nation’s first-ever “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day.” The event brought together 75 Grade 9 girls from five secondary schools in Port Moresby to ignite their passion for engineering and showcasing the limitless possibilities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. The day-long program, themed “Think like an Engineer, Be Innovative, Shape the Future,” was an extraordinary opportunity for these young women to interact with Papua New Guinean and international female engineers from ExxonMobil. With hands-on experiments and inspirational talks, the event delivered a powerful message that women also belong in the engineering field, and they are essential to shaping the world’s future. The 75 grade 9 girls come from these 5 NCD secondary schools, Koiari Park Adventist Secondary School, Tokarara Secondary School, Badihagwa Secondary School, La Salle Technical Secondary School, and Kila Kila to participate with Exxon Mobil's engineers in the engineering activities. From building truss bridges to experimenting with circuit boards and Newton’s laws of motion, the girls got a firsthand look at the practical and innovative aspects of engineering. “We hope this day inspires you to envision a future where you, too, can become engineers, paving the way for the next generation of Papua New Guinean girls,” said Tera Shandro, Chairperson and Managing Director of EMPNG. The goal of the event was not just to introduce students to engineering but to help them see themselves as future leaders in the field. For some participants, the event was truly life changing. Dorcas Winnie, a student from Koiari Park Adventist Secondary School, expressed her excitement about learning how lemon juice can conduct electricity during an electrical engineering experiment. “At first, I didn’t know lemon juice was a conductor of electricity,” she said. “I learned so much today, and it was so much fun!” Another student, Jin Hagusi from Badihagwa Secondary School, was moved by the collaborative spirit of engineering. “Apart from learning about the different branches and how unique they are, I discovered that in the real world, sharing ideas and working as a team are the most important tools for success,” she said. ExxonMobil PNG has long been committed to investing in STEM education and creating opportunities for women. The success of this event marks the beginning of a journey to inspire more girls to break stereotypes and pursue engineering careers in PNG. “We are incredibly proud to launch this program in PNG and look forward to continuing to motivate young women to explore STEM fields,” said Shandro. As these young girls return to their schools with new confidence and inspiration, this program's ripple effect will shape the future of engineering in PNG. ExxonMobil’s “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day” is more than just a one-day event but a movement to build a brighter, more inclusive future where women lead and innovate.