RAFT Blog, News, and Events

Featured Articles and News

Bringing Hands-On STEAM Learning to San Diego Educators

May 18, 2025

RAFT recently had the pleasure of participating in the San Diego STEAM Educators Conference at the University of San Diego from May 16-17. The event brought together hundreds of teachers from across the state committed to advancing STEAM education across Southern California. Nancy McIntyre, RAFT’s new Community Engagement Manager, represented our team at the conference,…

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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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A Message from Nigel Ball, RAFT Interim CEO

Mar 29, 2019 |

Dear RAFT Community: As you may know, RAFT has recently appointed me to lead this great charitable organization as Interim CEO. I’m thrilled to be able to contribute to fulfill RAFTs mission of helping educators to transform a child’s learning experience through hands-on education…

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Leadership Change Announcement

Mar 27, 2019 |

March 27, 2019 — The Board of Directors of Resource Area For Teaching (RAFT) today announced RAFT’s CEO, Sarah Slavin, has left RAFT. Since joining RAFT in December 2017, Sarah has led RAFT in fulfilling its mission of helping educators to transform a child’s…

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Holiday Shutdown – December 25th – January 1st

Dec 27, 2018 |

RAFT will be observing the following hours for our Holiday Break. RAFT San Jose: RAFT San Jose will be closed beginning Tuesday, December 24 and will re-open Wednesday, January 2nd. RAFT Redwood City: RAFT Redwood City will be closed beginning Friday, December 21 and will re-open Wednesday, January 9th. Happy…

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Redwood City Store Closed – Saturday, December 15

Dec 15, 2018 |

RAFT has been informed by our partners at the San Mateo County Office of Education there will be an unexpected closure of the building for construction purposes on Saturday 12/15. Therefore,our Redwood City Retail Store at 101 Twin Dolphin Drive will be closed this Saturday 12/15. RAFT Redwood…

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RAFT Warehouse Liquidation Sale this Saturday, October 27

Oct 26, 2018 |

RAFT is having a Warehouse Liquidation Sale at our San Jose location this Saturday, October 27, 2018! Plenty of great items for sale, including furniture and storage solutions not normally available at our stores. These items won’t last long, so come get them while…

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Redwood City Store Closed Saturday, October 13

Oct 11, 2018 |

Please note, our Redwood City Retail Store at 101 Twin Dolphin Drive is located within the county office. Due to the building closure for furnace and roofing work, RAFT will be closed Saturday, Oct 13 and will re-open per normal hours on Wednesday, 10/17.

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