2/10/2026

From Lab to Launch: P&G's "Out of This World Ideas” Innovation Challenge Inspires Young Women in STEM

At P&G, we create superior products that improve everyday life for our consumers, over half of whom are women and girls. We rely on deep consumer insights and science-led innovation to make the products consumers trust – work made possible by teams that understand the needs, experiences, and daily routines of the people we serve. Building inclusive teams and supporting the next generation of women interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are part of how we continue to grow our business and deliver meaningful innovation.

Over several years, for International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS), P&G has welcomed local students with an interest in STEM to our headquarters and Research & Development (R&D) centers for an immersive look at the science behind our brands and the women innovators who help shape them. In 2026, we expanded this experience with the launch of the "Out of This World Ideas" Innovation Challenge, designed to spark even greater curiosity and give students hands-on exposure to real-world problem solving.

Watch highlights from the “Out of This World Ideas” Innovation Challenge.

P&G’s STEM Legacy – Past, Present, and Future

The dynamic two-day experience brought together students from The Links and the Greater Cincinnati STEM Collaborative, connecting them with P&G's rich history of innovation and some of the women who continue to advance that work today.

A large group of women stand together, posing for a photo against a white wall. — P&G Chief Technology Officer Paola Lucetti, together with leaders from our Innovation, Equality & Inclusion, and Communications teams, kick off the event with students.

The program kicked off with powerful insights from P&G leaders, including Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Paola Lucetti, who reflected on her own career journey in science and innovation. “I’m truly amazed that I really found my passion in this space, leveraging technology and innovation for consumers,” she shared. “You can become that next biomedical engineer, innovator, technologist, or the CTO! Don’t let anyone tell you what you cannot do.”

Students then visited the P&G Heritage Center with Claire Danna, Archivist and Historian, where they heard the stories of women trailblazers who, through their unique insights and experiences, were instrumental in the development and evolution of beloved products across brands like Tampax and Olay, shaping P&G’s long-standing consumer-first approach to innovation.

Next, it was time to get hands-on in the Tide and Downy labs with Fabric Care Principal Scientist Jennifer Ahoni. Through interactive demonstrations and discussion, students explored the science behind clean, fresh-smelling laundry – debunking common myths and gaining insight into how research, testing, and consumer understanding come together across our Fabric Care brands.

Successful women in STEM and content creators shared their insights and advice for the students during a fireside chat.

We also held an inspiring fireside chat with STEM social media content creators – professionals in a range of fields including aerospace and spacecraft engineering. Hearing their personal and professional journeys deeply resonated with the students.

One shared, “being around such innovative, strong women was just so inspiring. I’m so lucky to have been here and be around you guys. I will remember this…forever.”

The session gave students the opportunity to hear about career paths in science and technology, reinforced that not all STEM jobs look the same, and exposed them to successful role models to show them that their dreams are entirely within reach.

Inside the “Out of This World Ideas” Innovation Challenge

Then it was time for the main event: the "Out of This World Ideas" Innovation Challenge, where students applied what they had learned to a problem rooted in real science. The task: design a solution to help keep clothes fresh, wearable, and smelling great when traditional laundry is not an option.

The challenge connected fabric care innovation to the unique challenges of space travel, drawing on learnings from Tide’s collaboration with NASA to develop laundry solutions for use on the International Space Station. And students took it one step further, exploring how their solutions could also apply to everyday situations here on Earth like dorm living, travel, or emergencies.

Working in teams, students collaborated with the content creators and P&G R&D employees, who stopped by to hear their ideas, offer guidance and feedback, and share insights from their own work in consumer product innovation.

Five young women pose in front of a screen with “The Challenge” written on it in black with a yellow highlight. Some of them hold white certificates in their hands. — A team of students and their mentors share a proud moment after presenting their Innovation Challenge idea.

The experience culminated in team presentations to a panel of P&G experts, including Paola Lucetti; Dr. Crystal Harrell, Senior Director Equality & Inclusion Communications; and R&D Scientist Isabella Saylor. Each team was celebrated for the unique strengths of their solution, with awards highlighting creativity, practicality, and collaboration.

At the end of the Innovation Challenge, students received certificates and congratulations from Team P&G.

From Inspiration to Impact

The "Out of This World Ideas" Innovation Challenge is one way P&G supports young women and girls' interest in STEM through hands-on learning and exposure to real scientists and engineers. We know that innovation thrives on a wide range of perspectives, and that our continued progress depends on attracting and developing the best talent with different experiences and insights.

At the same time, women continue to be underrepresented across the broader STEM workforce. That's why P&G works with partners such as Girl Up, Greater Cincinnati STEM Collaborative, and Vital Voices to provide learning opportunities, mentorship, and experience-building moments that empower young women to lead, innovate, and create impact.

Our continued focus on building inclusive teams and fostering a culture of belonging is one of the reasons we were recognized as one of America's Most Innovative Companies by FORTUNE.

By creating opportunities for young STEM leaders today, we’re helping strengthen the pipeline of future innovators at P&G and beyond while showing young women and girls a future where the possibilities are truly “out of this world.”

Learn more about #WomenInScience and P&G's Equality & Inclusion efforts, including our gender equality partnerships and programs.

2/11/2025

P&G Celebrates Women in STEM: A Legacy and Future of Innovation

Two young women wear lab goggles and white lab coats. They stand over a black table and hold a white cloth over a beaker filled with liquid. Paper plates holding colored liquids sit on the counter.

For over 185 years, P&G has been innovating to create products that improve the lives of consumers around the world. From Tide Pods to OLAY Super Serum, P&G brands are built on a foundation of cutting-edge science and a deep understanding of the consumers we serve — over half of whom are women and girls.

We know that innovation thrives with a wide range of perspectives. Women influence over 80% of household purchasing decisions, and by understanding and reflecting their experiences, we've been able to create superior products that meet their needs at every life stage.

This is achieved in part by a workforce that reflects the uniqueness of everyone we serve. At P&G, women are behind some of our brands’ most innovative breakthroughs. They're the chemists developing new formulas, the engineers designing more accessible packaging and the researchers uncovering unmet consumer needs.

On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we’re recognizing the invaluable contributions of the talented women who power P&G innovation and looking to the future, supporting the next generation as they explore opportunities in STEM.

We recently hosted an immersive two-day event at our Research & Development centers for a group of young women from Girl Up, The Links and the Greater Cincinnati STEM Collaborative, giving them a behind-the-scenes look at the science that goes into making their favorite products and the inclusive teams that bring them to life. These future innovators toured our labs, explored the contributions of women throughout P&G’s history, and learned firsthand from the scientists behind some of our most beloved brands, including Tide, Downy, OLAY and Venus.

A woman with short dark hair in a coat. She holds her hands together and stands outdoors with a blurred urban background and a triangular sign behind her.

Exploring Our Legacy of Innovation

The first day was spent exploring P&G’s rich history at our Heritage Center, where our Archivists guided the students through over 185 years of innovation. Our future STEM leaders explored displays highlighting the contributions of women innovators throughout the years, including Else Schulze, the first female PhD scientist hired at P&G in 1926 — setting the stage for the discoveries to come.

A group of young women in lab goggles and white lab coats post together in a group. They are in a laboratory.

Discovering the Science Behind Our Brands

The second day was a whirlwind of scientific exploration. Students started their day at P&G’s Fabric Care labs, delving into the science behind beloved laundry products from Tide and Downy. Kim Romine and Jennifer Ahoni, two of P&G’s Fabric Care scientists, shared their expertise and career journeys, inspiring the students with their passion for science and the technical rigor behind products such as Tide Pods.

Interactive demonstrations brought our technologies to life, and a guided tour provided a firsthand look at the experimentation and testing that go into superior laundry solutions that deliver the highest standard of clean and keep clothes smelling fresh.

A group of young women in lab goggles and white lab coats smiles together. They stand inside in a laboratory setting.

Next, the group participated in an immersive deep dive into the science of skin care with Dr. Rolanda Wilkerson, Senior Director and Scientist at P&G Beauty. Dr. Ro is one of the scientists behind some of P&G’s breakthrough skin care innovations, including OLAY’s Super Serum. Her expertise in organic chemistry and passion for inclusive product design have also shaped other P&G brands such as Pantene, driving unique solutions that meet a wide range of consumer hair and skin care needs.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OLAY’S SUPER SERUM

The students explored the innovative technologies behind OLAY’s Cleansing Melts and Super Serum, getting hands-on with live demos and digital visualizations of their skin. Afterward, a tour of the Consumer Learning Center provided insights into how P&G uses consumer feedback to shape product development.

A young woman in a white lab coat leans into a machine to take her photo. In the background, a woman in lab goggles and a black shirt operates a computer screen.

The final session of the event focused on the science of shaving with Betsy Compo, a Senior Scientist for Venus. A presentation and USB microscope demo brought the intricacies of hair removal to life, showcasing the science behind Venus’ smooth, comfortable shave. Betsy's work within Research & Development focuses on constantly innovating to deliver a superior razor design that helps women feel confident in their own skin.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Our support of women in science goes beyond our labs. Through impactful partnerships with organizations such as Girl Up and brand-driven programs like OLAY's Face the STEM Gap, we're creating opportunities, providing mentorship and cultivating a passion for science in young women and girls around the world.

Our recent event was a spark, igniting a passion for science, learning and leadership in the next generation. When we enable everyone — including young women and girls — to explore their interest in STEM, we unlock a world of possibilities that will help us serve all our consumers for years to come.

Learn more and join us in celebrating the power of #WomenInScience.