RAFT Blog, News, and Events

RAFT’s AI Chatbot: A Smarter Way to Support Hands-On Learning

March 4, 2026

At RAFT, we’re always exploring new ways to help educators bring hands-on STEAM learning into the classroom. With support from the Cisco Foundation, RAFT launched an AI-enabled chatbot designed to help teachers confidently implement STEAM lessons and provide more personalized learning support for students. This tool acts like a digital teaching assistant, helping educators adapt…

A Legacy of Learning: The Guidry Foundation and RAFT’s Endowment Fund

January 26, 2026

For over three decades, RAFT has been fortunate to be supported by partners who believe deeply in the power of hands-on learning. Among them is The Mark & Carolyn Guidry Foundation, longtime champions of education, creativity, and opportunity for all students. Founded in 1994, the Guidry Foundation was established by Mark and Carolyn Guidry to…

Annual Fundraiser Recap: RAFT to the Future of STEAM Education

September 25, 2025

On Wednesday, September 17, 2025, RAFT hosted its annual fundraising event: RAFT to the Future. Over 130 supporters were present at RAFT, which was transformed into a beautiful space for the special event for the night. That evening, we honored the individuals and organizations that have made a profound impact on RAFT and the education…

STEAM Dream Summer Camp 2025: A Season of Innovation, Discovery, and Fun

August 19, 2025

This August marks the exciting wrap-up of RAFT’s 2025 STEAM Dream Summer Camp and DreamBox season-our biggest yet! Over the course of eight action-packed weeks, we delivered more than 180 hours of hands-on STEAM programming, engaging TK-8 students from across the Bay Area in engineering challenges, storytelling adventures, and STEAM experimentation. With programs running across…

Lagunita STEAM Night Highlights

Apr 6, 2021 | Comments Off

The Virtual STEAM Night at Lagunita Elementary School (Salinas, CA) held on Thursday March 4, 2021 was a really great event! Nearly 100 families participated in a 1-hour STEAM lesson focused on RAFT’s Car on a Roll STEAM project kit. Students assembled the cars…

RAFT Stands in Solidarity with the AAPI Community

Mar 24, 2021 | Comments Off

RAFT is heartbroken by the violent, racist attacks against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. The latest attacks are only the most recent examples of a horrifying increase in harassment and violence against the AAPI community, largely fueled by divisive, xenophobic sentiments.…

Engineering Design Challenge: Cat Care

Mar 9, 2021 | Comments Off

Students engage in engineering challenges created and facilitated by RAFT staff that take advantage of household materials and/or use RAFT supplied materials. Challenges can be live or asynchronous. RAFT will showcase student design solutions on our social media platforms. This is a great way…

RAFT Spring Sale

Feb 22, 2021 | Comments Off

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Featured: Pratik’s Dream Playground Project

Jan 13, 2021 | Comments Off

We love inspiring the next generation of innovators, problem solvers, and creators! Here’s a young engineer at work: Pratik Patel, a 2nd grader from the San Ramon Valley School District, took part in RAFT’s Dream Playground Design Challenge program. Pratik built a dream playground…

A Successful Voyage

Sep 24, 2020 | Comments Off

On September 23, 2020 the SS RAFT took sail. During the virtual event, guests were able to learn more about RAFT, honor people and organizations that have had a profound impact on the education community, and learn what RAFT is doing to support joy…