Presented from September 18 until January 10 2027
Was science in the 19th century an exclusively male domain? Quite the contrary! This exhibition reveals that Canadian girls received a high-quality science education from religious communities as early as the 1830s.
Through a dynamic exhibition design, visitors discover how the Ursulines and the Sisters of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame developed innovative programs to teach a variety of scientific subjects: botany, chemistry, physics, mineralogy… This is evidenced by the intriguing objects showcased throughout the exhibition, drawn from specimen collections gathered by teachers and their students, as well as from school museums and science cabinets. In Quebec, these pioneers laid the groundwork for an educational system where every woman can now access scientific knowledge and pursue scientific careers.
In addition to texts, artifacts, and archival images, the experience is enriched with interactive games and multimedia content. To bridge the gap between the past and the present and raise awareness about the issue of women’s underrepresentation in certain scientific disciplines even today, four contemporary women in science share their poignant stories. You’ll be invited to share your own experience in science or to write a message of encouragement to girls dreaming of a career in this field.
📸Mathieu Rivard
A traveling exhibition co-produced by the Site historique Marguerite-Bourgeoys and the Musée des Ursulines de Trois-Rivières.
This exhibition was made possible thanks to the contribution from the Government of Canada and the gouvernement du Québec.
