Science education gets a boost from banks' donation through Greater Pike
Milford. Delaware Valley STEM students will benefit from the Wayne and Dime banks' participation in the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit program. Grants distributed through the Greater Pike Community Foundation will make a science camp possible, contribute to a new makerspace laboratory, and help start an after-school computer coding club.
Milford /
| 24 Feb 2020 | 03:57
Robert Curtis, who teaches Advanced Placement physics, astronomy, and engineering , with a 3-D printer at Delaware Valley High School (
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Students studying science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in the Delaware Valley School District will benefit from enhancements to their educational programs, thanks to a partnership between Greater Pike Community Foundation, Dime and Wayne banks, and the state of Pennsylvania.
Greater Pike, through the generosity of the banks and the state of Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit program, will grant $11,200 dollars to the school district. The program awards tax credits to businesses that make significant contributions to educational programs.
The Greater Pike grant will make possible a Delaware Valley Middle School science summer camp and contribute to the development of an innovative makerspace laboratory in the new DV Technology Center. Makerspaces are collaborative spaces where students gather to create, invent, and share ideas The funds will also help start a new after-school Lego-based computer coding club for elementary school students.
“The STEM program leads us into our future careers," said Amy Carpenter, an 11th grader interested in forestry. "It’s really important for educational development, leading us to college and other things.”
The Greater Pike Community Foundation was created to enable generous people, families, and local businesses to maximize their charitable support through organized, targeted, long-term community philanthropy. Greater Pike provides a permanent and personal way to give back to the region.
"We greatly value our strong partnership with both Wayne and Dime banks, Delaware Valley School District, and the PA Department of Community and Economic Development," said Greater Pike Executive Director Jenni Hamill. "It has been rewarding for Greater Pike to help the EITC program grow and make such an important contribution to preparing students for successful futures."
For more information about establishing a fund in memory of a loved one, or to discuss how to realize your charitable goals for the future, contact Hamill at jennihamill@greaterpike.org or 570-832-4686; or visit greaterpike.org and Facebook.com/GreaterPike.
About the Educational Tax Credit:
Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit provides companies with a 75 percent tax credit for donations to a non-profit scholarship or educational improvement organization. The tax credit increases to 90 percent if the company commits to making the same donations for two consecutive years.
“The STEM program leads us into our future careers. It’s really important for educational development, leading us to college and other things.” --Amy Carpenter, 11th grader, Delaware Valley High School