Création d’étincelles Project

Background

In order to support businesses and research institutions, PRIMA Québec proposed a project to help resolve a problem they have in common, namely the labour shortage.

In response to this problem, PRIMA Québec proposes to design and deploy an initiative with a twofold objective: to encourage future talent to careers in STEM and to introduce them to the possibilities offered by the field of advanced materials.

The advanced materials sector is an area with a bright future. Playing a strategic role, advanced materials are used in a wide range of products and processes, such as batteries for electric cars, smart phones, renewable energies and more. Above all, it is a growing field that offers multiple job opportunities in different application sectors.

Création d’étincelles Project

In March 2023, the Board of Directors approved the implementation of the Création d’étincelles structuring project[1].

A steering committee was formed with experts to validate the relevance of the proposed initiative, as well as the overall feasibility of the Création d’étincelles project.

It consists of:

Patrice Potvin, Professor of Science and Technology Teaching at the Faculty of Education at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM), Holder of the Research Chair on Young People’s Interest in Science and Technology (CRIJEST) and Director of the Research Team in Science and Technology Education (EREST)
Jean-Philippe Bolduc, High school teacher at Pensionnat du Saint-Nom-de-Marie (PSNM), private high school for girls
Abida Ouyed, Director of programs and partnerships au Fonds de recherche du Québec – secteur Nature et technologies
Chantal Piché, Innovation and Research Coordinator, Continuing Education, Innovation and Research Department Cégep de Thetford
Laura-Isabelle Dion-Bertrand, Sales Manager, Customer Relations and After-Sales at ENERCON

Three actions have been selected in order to best meet the objectives of encouraging the next generation to pursue careers in STEM and introducing them to the possibilities offered by the field of advanced materials:

Develop with Réseau Technoscience a kit with a facilitator for Secondary 3 students on advanced materials, to raise awareness of STEM careers and make connections with materials companies.
Inspire high school students by having university or college technology transfer center (CCTT) students present projects involving advanced materials and share their career aspirations. This follow-up activity to the kit is supported in collaboration with the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ).
Award a prize donated by PRIMA Québec at the Québec finals of the Hydro-Québec Super Expo-Sciences.

Implementation of Activities for 2024–2025

The ÉnigMAtique kit for Secondary 3 students was tested in May 2024 at École secondaire des Pionniers in Trois-Rivières, in two classes where students were divided into groups of two to three for each kit. The test confirmed the validity of the five challenges.

As of March 31, 2025, the kit had generated 18 activities reaching 472 young people in several regions of Québec. Representatives from businesses, CCTTs, and/or PRIMA Québec were also present at these activities so that students could meet advanced materials professionals working in their region.

As a follow-up activity, complementing the kit, PRIMA Québec helped connect these high school students with college or university students involved in projects related to advanced materials.

An award was presented at the Québec finals of the Super Expo-Sciences Hydro-Québec, organized by Réseaux Technoscience, which took place at Cégep du Vieux Montréal from April 11 to 13, 2025. Congratulations to Miko Savard, a Secondary 1 student at l’École Secondaire Serge-Bouchard in Côte-Nord, who won the PRIMA QUÉBEC award for his project entitled “Béton-logique”. For details on the Expo-Sciences Hydro-Québec, visit this page.

Summary of Activities for 2025–2026

During the 2025-2026 school year, 27 activities of the ÉnigMAtique kit were facilitated by the Réseau Technoscience in 10 separate schools, including 7 public schools and 3 private schools, reaching 749 secondary 3 students from several regions of Québec. As a follow-up activity, complementing the kit, PRIMA Québec helped connect these high school students with college or university students involved in projects related to advanced materials.

This year, two prizes were awarded at the Québec final of the Super Expo-Sciences Hydro-Québec organized by the Réseau Technoscience, which took place at Université Laval from April 17 to 19, 2026. A new prize, the Étince’Elles prize, was given to a project related to advanced materials led by a girl or a duo of girls in secondary 4 or 5.

The PRIMA Québec Award was won by Aaliyah Segal and Zoë Drogaris of Secondary 4 at the Montreal Regional Science and Technology Fair for their project: Bana-Aids: Biodegradable Band-Aids.	The PRIMA Quebec Étince’Elles Award was won by Delphine Dupont and Léa St-Pierre of Secondary 4 in Québec City and Chaudière-Appalaches for their project: Mission Algipack.

Image source : Antoine Poursuibes

For details on the Expo-Sciences Hydro-Québec, visit this page.

Continuation of activities in 2026–2029

Thanks to the support of three financial partners (AP&C, e2ip and FRQ), we are pleased to announce the continuation of our activities for young people across the province for an additional three years.

To reserve the ÉnigMAtique kit and the follow-up activity, please click here.

For any other information, do not hesitate to contact Cloé Bouchard-Aubin (cloe.bouchard-aubin@prima.ca).

[1] A structuring project must meet the following objectives:

Contribute to Québec’s advanced materials ecosystem.
Accelerate the growth and development of the advanced materials sector by building on its strengths.
Implement projects that aim to solve problems common to the industry and which then position the sector advantageously.