Inspiring the next generation: Novatron Fusion Group hosts “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day” at KTH Royal Institute of Technology
“Getting to see the development on fusion energy gives me less climate anxiety—it shows that there really is something that can solve the problems. We need to talk more about fusion so that more people can have hope.” That was just one of the reflections from a participant during this year’s Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (IGEday) at Novatron Fusion Group, held on March 28, 2025, at our fusion lab on KTH’s campus in Stockholm.
As part of Womengineer’s national initiative, “Heroes of Our Time—The Green Tech Companies,” we opened our doors to a group of curious and enthusiastic girls, aged 13–19, to explore the world of fusion energy, meet real engineers, and get a hands-on look at our groundbreaking work on the NOVATRON 1 machine.
A Glimpse into the Future of Energy
The day kicked off with an introduction to fusion technology—how it works, how it is different from traditional nuclear power, and why it could be the clean, safe, and abundant energy source the world urgently needs.
Participants met several of our incredible female team members, including Katarina Bendtz, a researcher with experience from Harvard and CERN; Katherine Dunne, a physicist and expert in advanced detector systems with a background from NASA; Josefin Snöbohm, a project leader in product development; and Linnea Strömstedt, a strategist with experience from climate tech startups and consulting.
The visit included a guided tour of NOVATRON 1, our full-system prototype at KTH. During the tour, students witnessed a live plasma experiment led by the NFG team, providing a rare and exciting opportunity to see fusion physics in action.
Four Workshops. Four Visions for the Future.
The afternoon featured interactive workshops to spark discussion, creativity, and collaboration around key fusion-related topics. Here’s what each team came up with:
Reimagining Fusion Power Plants
When communicating the vision of a fusion energy-powered society, forget grey and intimidating buildings—the students emphasized that future power plants should feel inviting and inspiring, rather than intimidating. They envisioned designs with vibrant colors and placed fusion plants near research campuses for learning opportunities or by the coast for natural cooling.
Engaging the Younger Generation
The group identified the importance of communicating complex technologies such as fusion in clear and relatable ways, e.g. “Provide concrete examples of fusion’s impact on society”. Channels such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube were suggested, using short videos, behind-the-scenes content, and interviews with team members to demystify fusion and humanize the technology. They also highlighted the importance of peer-to-peer communication, featuring younger staff and students who can better relate to their audience, along with the involvement of student ambassadors and integration of fusion topics into school curricula.
Fusion’s Role in Addressing Global Challenges
With climate anxiety in mind, this group emphasized that fusion offers hope. They linked fusion’s potential to multiple UN SDGs—from climate action to clean water access—and noted that fusion can support education and equality through reliable infrastructure. They also stressed that seeing the real fusion development progress made the future feel more hopeful and solvable.
Career Paths in Fusion Energy
The final workshop focused on the range of skills and expertise required to build a fusion power plant, from engineering and computer science to project management, industrialization, and communication. The takeaway: fusion energy is a multidisciplinary endeavor with room for diverse talents and interests.
A Meaningful Investment in the Future
Novatron Fusion Group remains deeply committed to advancing gender equality, diversity, and long-term talent development across the energy and engineering sectors. Events such as IGEday are important platforms to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.
We extend our sincere thanks to all the participants and role models who contributed to the success of this year’s IGEday. Together, we are shaping a future powered by clean energy backed by social sustainability—creating opportunities for all to thrive in engineering.
