LIVERPOOL, N.Y. -- Dozens of local high school girls get the chance to learn more about engineering. Lockheed Martin held its tenth annual "Women in Engineering Day" today with hands-on experiments for 80 students.

In one exercise, they were asked to build catapults out of popsicle sticks, paper cups, cardboard, and rubber bands to hit a target about three feet away.

With only 10 percent of the American engineering workforce made up of women, organizers say the day is a fun way to encourage girls to learn about the field.

"It's not just designing cars or planes or trains. There's a myriad of other activities you can do within it and hopefully something will spark their interest and they can apply that to a different area of their lives and hopefully continue to pursue that in college and beyond," said engineer Elizabeth Paoletti.

YNN's parent company, Time Warner Cable, is also committed to helping students improve in math and science. The initiative is called "Connect a Million Minds." And for more information, you can visit connectamillionminds.com.