RAFT Blog, News, and Events

Featured Articles and News

From Honoree to Advocate: A STEAM Award’s Ripple Effect

May 14, 2025

At RAFT, we believe in celebrating educators who bring STEAM to life through hands-on learning. Our STEAM Teachers and Administrators of the Year Awards honor those who go above and beyond-and sometimes, that recognition inspires something even bigger. Just ask Bryan Williams, a past STEAM Teacher of the Year award recipient who later nominated another…

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DreamBox Impact Series: Milpitas Unified School District

April 1, 2025

Engaging EL and SPED Learners Through Hands-On STEAM For the past two summers, RAFT has partnered with Milpitas Unified School District to bring hands-on STEAM learning to the district’s Extended School Year (ESY) summer program. This past summer, 230 fourth- through sixth-grade Special Education (SPED) and English Learner (EL) students became environmental engineers-designing water filtration…

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Bringing Stories to Life: RAFT’s Intersession Program at Northwood Elementary

March 18, 2025

This winter, Northwood Elementary students in Berryessa School District embarked on a creative journey through RAFT’s three-day Intersession program. Designed to spark imagination and hands-on learning, the program engaged 66 students in grades K-5 in the art of puppet-making, storytelling, and performance, culminating in a special showcase for families. Student-made marionette puppets displayed with crafting…

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DreamBox Impact Series: Oak Grove School District

February 27, 2025

Empowering Newcomers Through Hands-On STEAM Learning In Summer 2024, students at Oak Grove School District‘s Newcomer Summer Academy embarked on an innovative hands-on STEAM adventure. Through RAFT’s creative reuse materials and engaging activity kits, 75 students explored the mysteries of space while strengthening their English language skills, guided by 3 dedicated teachers. Hands-on learning is…

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From Honoree to Advocate: A STEAM Award’s Ripple Effect

May 14, 2025 | Comments Off on From Honoree to Advocate: A STEAM Award’s Ripple Effect

At RAFT, we believe in celebrating educators who bring STEAM to life through hands-on learning. Our STEAM Teachers and Administrators of the Year Awards honor those who go above and beyond-and sometimes, that recognition inspires something even bigger. Just ask Bryan Williams, a past…

Read More

Investing in Impact: How RAFT’s Endowment Fund is Powering Bay Area Classrooms

May 5, 2025 | Comments Off on Investing in Impact: How RAFT’s Endowment Fund is Powering Bay Area Classrooms

Since the launch of RAFT’s Endowment Fund last year, generous donors have helped us expand access to hands-on STEAM education across the Bay Area. Through dedicating funding to our school and district partners, RAFT has been able to provide professional development training, memberships, and…

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DreamBox Impact Series: Milpitas Unified School District

Apr 1, 2025 | Comments Off on DreamBox Impact Series: Milpitas Unified School District

Engaging EL and SPED Learners Through Hands-On STEAM For the past two summers, RAFT has partnered with Milpitas Unified School District to bring hands-on STEAM learning to the district’s Extended School Year (ESY) summer program. This past summer, 230 fourth- through sixth-grade Special Education…

Read More

Bringing Stories to Life: RAFT’s Intersession Program at Northwood Elementary

Mar 18, 2025 | Comments Off on Bringing Stories to Life: RAFT’s Intersession Program at Northwood Elementary

This winter, Northwood Elementary students in Berryessa School District embarked on a creative journey through RAFT’s three-day Intersession program. Designed to spark imagination and hands-on learning, the program engaged 66 students in grades K-5 in the art of puppet-making, storytelling, and performance, culminating in…

Read More

DreamBox Impact Series: Oak Grove School District

Feb 27, 2025 | Comments Off on DreamBox Impact Series: Oak Grove School District

Empowering Newcomers Through Hands-On STEAM Learning In Summer 2024, students at Oak Grove School District‘s Newcomer Summer Academy embarked on an innovative hands-on STEAM adventure. Through RAFT’s creative reuse materials and engaging activity kits, 75 students explored the mysteries of space while strengthening their…

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Sparking Curiosity through Hands-On Learning with Jeffrey and Maureen Fox

Feb 26, 2025 | Comments Off on Sparking Curiosity through Hands-On Learning with Jeffrey and Maureen Fox

For over 30 years, RAFT has provided resources and support to local educators and students. RAFT’s commitment to hands-on learning for STEAM subjects has evolved to include activities such as STEAM Project Kits, as well as programs like our Makerspace and Maker Mobile activities,…

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