The dearth of women—especially minority women from low-income families—in the fields of engineering, science and technology is long-standing, and hard to solve. A tightly-focused summer program at the New Jersey Institute of Technology is trying to make a difference, girl by girl.

To engage girls in the study of science and technology, educators need to convey the right message about the roles these fields play in society and the skills they require--and they also need to provide more hands-on activities that have some social value. These were the main lessons imparted during a Webcast hosted by the National Science Foundation's Information Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers program. E-School News reports.

The mission of this organization is to inspire girls with the highest ideals of character, conduct, patriotism, and service they they may become happy and resourceful citizens.

"What can you do to stay strong in a world that isn't always girl-friendly?" asks Jeanette Gadeberg, author of Brave New Girls: Creative Ideas to Help Girls Be Confident, Healthy, & Happy. Acknowledging the difficult realities of being a pre-adolescent girl in today's world, full of pressures from peers, the media, family, and self, this guide offers frank discussions of these issues and practical suggestions for trusting oneself and staying strong.

Dads and Daughters inspires fathers to actively and deeply engage in the lives of their daughters, and galvanizes fathers and others to transform the pervasive cultural messages that devalue girls and women.

The Math/Science Network, a non-profit organization composed of educators, scientists, mathematicians, parents, students, community leaders, and government and corporate representatives, pursues as its mission the promotion of the continuing development in mathematics and science of all people, with particular emphasis on the needs of women and girls. Our primary goal is to increase the participation, retention, and advancement of girls and women in mathematics, science, engineering, and technology.

Girls Incorporated is a nonprofit organization that inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. With local roots dating to 1864 and national status since 1945, Girls Inc. has responded to the changing needs of girls through research-based programs and public education efforts that empower girls to understand, value, and assert their rights.

The Institute for Women's Policy Research reports that nearly half of all workers in the private sector get no paid sick time, and employers are reducing their paid sick time programs. Over 59 million workers have no sick leave. Only about one in every ten low-wage workers is allowed to use paid sick leave to stay home with sick children (11 percent), while more than four in every ten workers in the top wage quartile enjoy this benefit (43 percent).

Women represent 46 percent of the total workforce, but only 25 percent of the IT workforce, and just 10 percent of the nation's top technology jobs. Girl Scouts is working to educate the public and policymakers on what it takes to keep the doors open to science and technology careers for girls, who typically lose interest in science and math by age 12.

Despite improvements in the wage gap, women's wages barely cover housing and other necessary family expenses -- even toward the middle of the income spectrum, according to the McAuley Institute. More than one in four mother-headed families live in overcrowded or severely substandard housing, or pay over a half of their incomes for housing. Children in families receiving housing vouchers increase their academic performance significantly.