Maybe you recall the Verizon commercial that follows a young girl as she’s growing up. Samantha takes a keen interest in activities like wading in a stream and building a rocket ship; activities that explore science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.

Not only does the commercial tug at your heart strings but it ends with an alarming statistic that 66 percent of fourth-grade girls say they like science and math, but only 18 percent of all college engineering majors are female.

Not long ago, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Center for Women in Business surveyed STEM leaders from around the country about what can be done to attract, retain, and advance more women and girls to STEM education and careers.

Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson said, “Sparking a girl’s interest in STEM at an early age significantly increases the odds that she will pursue a STEM career.”

Stanford University’s Vivek Wadhwa agreed that “It starts with childhood. Girls have to be encouraged by their parents to take an interest in STEM fields.”