RAFT Blog, News, and Events

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…

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…

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…

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

February 26, 2025

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, and most recently a STEAM Dream Summer Camp for students around…

Membership pricing now available on-line!

Jul 25, 2018 |

Exciting news for RAFT members. Now you can order Kits from our on-line store and receive your member discount (plus shipping and handling). Perfect for our remote members or those short on time. As a member you should be receiving an email from Netsuite,…

Upcoming Redwood City Store Closures

Jul 25, 2018 |

Please note, our Redwood City Location will be closed Wednesday and Thursday (July 25th and July 26th) preparing for our Back To School Event on Saturday, July 28. We look forward to seeing you then!

Upcoming Redwood City Store Closures

Jul 13, 2018 |

Please note, our Redwood City Location will be closed the following two Saturdays (July 14th and July 21st) for inventory and preparation for our big Back To School Event on Saturday, July 28. We will be operating normal business hours on Wednesday and Thursdays.

Back To School is right around the corner!

Jul 12, 2018 |

Back to School at RAFT will take place the following weekends: July 28 (Redwood City & Sunnyvale) August 4 (San Jose) New this year, a furniture blowout at our Warehouse and Volunteer Center on Saturday, July 28! We realize how popular our furniture is…

Earth Day 2018 – End Plastic Pollution!

Apr 17, 2018 |

I just watched a fascinating PBS video on how much plastic is in the ocean. Counting down to this year’s Earth Day on April 22nd, the video got me thinking about how teachers can help students become responsible consumers as well as future caretakers…

As the End of School Approaches, What’s Keeping You Afloat?

Apr 9, 2018 |

Do you ever get that sinking feeling that you have so much yet to do with your class, but you are running out of time? Feel like you are about to hit an iceberg around the corner with the end of school activities approaching?…