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CHARLOTTE -- The Girl Scouts Hornets Nest council is preparing future leaders. More than 2,000 girls have tested their investigative skills in the forensics lab, but what they're learning goes far beyond a crime scene.

“CSI is so popular these days. Now we have a GSI lab for Girl Scout investigators,” said Melanie Miller, chief membership officer.

The forensics lab, complete with lab coats, microscopes and fake blood, teaches the girls all the skills necessary to investigate a crime scene. It's a fun way of engaging them in science and math.

“For girls, about the time they reach fourth grade is when girls begin opting themselves out of science and math and more advanced courses,” said Miller.

Female forensic detectives and DNA analysts volunteer to teach. For the girls, their presence counters some of society’s subliminal messages.

“If they see physicians, if they see engineers, if they see astronauts, a lot of times who they see are men,” said Miller. “And we want them to know that's not the case; there are many women in those fields.”

Time Warner Cable pledged more than $11 million in cash and in kind contributions during the next five years to support Connect a Million Minds in North Carolina.

Time Warner Cable is the parent company of News 14 Carolina.