The Neffs National Bank recently presented checks to Parkland and Northwestern Lehigh school districts through an Education Improvement Tax Credit gift.

According to Nicole McGalla, director of Community Relations and Development with Parkland School District, the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program authorizes tax credits for businesses that make contributions to educational improvement organizations or scholarship organizations.

McGalla said the program administered by the state Department of Community and Economic Development enables companies to support non-profit school foundations at minimal cost.

Instead of sending tax dollars to Harrisburg, companies can reallocate them to support a school district through the district’s education foundation, she said.

This year, Neffs Bank donated $50,000 to both Parkland and Northwestern Lehigh school districts.

McGalla said the Parkland School District Education Foundation will be using the Education Improvement Tax Credit donation to create “maker spaces” in all elementary schools next year.

“We piloted a maker space at Fogelsville Elementary this year in the Media Center,” McGalla said. “A maker space is a place where kids can tinker, design and create. Creativity is encouraged, as is trial and error.

“Maker spaces encourage experimentation and open-ended exploration with the belief making mistakes is a great way to learn.

“Maker spaces teach perseverance and grit. They encourage students to think critically and work collaboratively.”

McGalla said in Parkland, the maker space is a place that reinforces literacy and STEM skills that are being taught in the classroom.

“The items will be purchased this summer and may include things such as building sets that help students develop stories and complement the writing process, computer programmable robots, circuit sets that teach about electronics, and other hands-on materials,” McGalla said.

Clare Coupe Scott, president of the Northwestern Lehigh Educational Foundation, also commented on receiving the check donation.

“The funds will be used to continue technology infusion in the school district,” Scott said. “We are also supporting the launch of the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) initiatives in the district.”