Ladies, let me let you in on a little secret.

According to a recent report released by The White House Council on Women and Girls: “Women make up only 25 percent of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) workforce, which is expected to grow by nearly 20 percent over the rest of the decade. “

Well, I didn’t say it was a GOOD secret.

But listen – there’s more:

Jason Koebler of US News and World Report writes: “Women who do work in STEM fields make up to ONE-THIRD more money than women who work in NON-STEM fields.” That means a woman making $50,000 per year could increase that to just over $66,000. That’s kind of a big difference.

You’re probably thinking the same thing I am: If STEM jobs pay more money, why aren’t more women working in those fields?

While the answer to that may never be known, there are folks out there who are committed to closing the STEM gap, one girl at a time.

Through afterschool programs like Techie Club: Girls and summer programs like Techie Camp, TECH CORPS, a national nonprofit organization, is working to elevate girls' confidence with STEM-related concepts and skills in safe and supportive environments and by exposing them to tech-savvy women.

“TECH CORPS believes that in order to ensure a technologically literate, diverse workforce tomorrow, we must take a holistic approach to growing, nurturing, and supporting our students today,” said Lisa M. Chambers, TECH CORPS National Director. “While we work with all K-12 students, we also know that it is important for our organization to develop programs and strategies to engage students who are drastically underrepresented in STEM, including girls.”

Time Warner Cable partners with TECH CORPS to provide scholarship support to their Techie Camps - a full-day, week-long technology experience designed specifically for elementary and middle school students. This year Time Warner Cable is helping to send 75 kids to Techie Camp in Central and Northeast Ohio!The goal of Techie Camp is to engage students in activities that can stimulate a deeper interest in technology like robotics, programming and web development; as well as provide opportunities for them to express their imaginations.

TECH CORPS and Time Warner Cable are working together to make sure all kids, especially young women, are not just introduced to STEM based opportunities, but encouraged to explore them.

Want to find STEM education programs in for your child in your community? Check out The Connectory atTime Warner Cable’s Connect A Million Minds site for more information and STEM opportunities near you! For additional details about the Techie Camp scholarships visit techiecamp.org