What's the connection between the celebration of an essential science in our schools and the nation's economy? Quite a lot.

This is National Chemistry Week at schools around the country, and it comes at a time when U.S. leaders are worried about the fate of the economy, given the economic crisis rippling through the country.

The chemistry industry contributes billions of dollars to the U.S. economy and is the economic lifeline for millions of professionals, their families and their communities. The U.S. is the No. 1 producer of chemistry products in the world, generating more than $664 billion a year in sales, with one-quarter of the U.S. gross domestic product directly related to chemistry. Virtually all segments of the U.S. economy depend in some way on chemistry.

Consider the following about the American chemistry industry:

• In 2006, it sustained nearly five million related jobs in agriculture, automotive and other industries.

• It is one of America's top exporters, with nearly $154 billion in exports in 2006 alone, accounting for more than 10 cents of every dollar in total U.S. merchandise exports.

• It generated employee compensation of $90 billion in 2006.

• Also in 2006, it paid 50 percent higher wages than the average manufacturing-sector job in the same year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau.

• The products of chemistry comprised one out of every 10 patents that were granted in 2004, according to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

• The industry invests $27 billion in research every year.

However, our industry is facing a dilemma. There has been a decline in interest among students in the field at a time when retirement rates are rising.

As an industry that is a key contributor to the American economy, offers high-paying jobs and provides solutions and innovations to help solve the issues facing our world today, it is imperative that we encourage students to learn more about this exciting and ever-changing field. Today's youth are essential to tomorrow's future.

The nation's teachers will be out there encouraging kids in grades K-12 to take part in "National Chemistry Week." Among the activities offered, they'll be inviting them to participate in a poster contest with the theme of "Having a Ball wWith Chemistry" focused on the link between chemistry and sports. Just think of the examples of applied chemistry in sports, all the way from the plastics that go into the protective gear for football, soccer, lacrosse and other sports, to the synthetic turf used on playing fields.

Students are often captivated by the simple proposition that fun and science go together like peanut butter and jelly. If we can engage young minds and spark new ambition, chemistry will remain an American economic centerpiece.

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Cal Dooley, chief of the American Chemistry Council, based in Arlington, Va., can be reached through www.americanchemistry.com