Are you tired of hearing how low American students rank in reading, science and math? How 15-year olds from South Korea, the Netherlands, Estonia and 19 other countries know more science than our kids?

So am I. And that’s why I am so proud of the Maricopa County Library District and so grateful to the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. They are partnering on an exciting educational project, introducing children to science at an early age in a hands-on and fun way.

With the help of a STEM grant (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), Fountain Hills and the Southeast Regional Library will have an amazing opportunity to bring STEM books, hands-on science kits and additional science-related programming to the children of their communities.

My nine-year-old son Grant will join in an upcoming project on Saturday, April 5, at the Fountain Hills Branch Library. He got interested when he was told he would be mixing and making a gooey, oozy batch of slime, kind of like silly putty. I’m ecstatic he will be learning the fundamentals of chemical reactions and polymers, combining liquids to create something new (even if he doesn’t realize it yet).

And I’m even more pleased that both the Fountain Hills and Southeast Regional Library branches will conduct several memorable science programs like this throughout the year and focus their entire summer reading programs on science. Hundreds of our sons and daughters will be introduced to science in vivid, adventuresome experiments and activities.

Christy Valentine, lead librarian at Fountain Hills, calls the monthly science program “Light Bulb Lab,” designed to create “Ah-Ha” moments in youngsters’ minds, sparking curiosity and understanding in the world around them. “We think that by introducing them to science at an early age, they won’t be intimidated later. Some of them might even become interested in pursuing science as a career.”

In today’s world, the future belongs to those nations that can compete in innovative technologies. That means our students have to match the scientists, engineers, and computer brain power of other nations. Arizona has to compete.

Intel, Apple and other high-tech firms will hire only the best candidates it can find. We must rely on more than just the five C’s of our past by focusing on Arizona’s promise of tomorrow.

This summer, we at the Maricopa County Library District are taking on that challenge, offering East Valley children an introduction to science in an interesting, creative way. Beginning in May, you can find out about the program at www.summerreadingaz.org.

My son will be among those who take advantage of the program, because I want the best for him. I am happy and grateful he won’t be alone.

Steve Chucri is a Mesa resident and a Maricopa County supervisor from East Valley District 2, which includes Fountain Hills.