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…

How to use Music to Teach Math

Nov 7, 2017 |

What do math and music have in common? Numbers tell us a lot about music! Math explains why notes sound higher than others, why instruments look the way they are, and why some sounds are more pleasing to the ear than others. Math and music are universal…

Favorite Basic Recipes for Preschool Science and Art – PLAYDough

Sep 16, 2017 |

By Betty Klem I’d like to share some of my favorite basic recipes for sensory activities that explore materials and the way they behave and react. All of these are tried and true. There are many newer recipes for potions and doughs. Playdough This…

Starting the Year Off Right: 6 Tips to connect with both your students and parents for a productive year of learning.

Aug 22, 2017 |

By Jeanne Lazzarini, RAFT Math Activity Developer & Mentor, and the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics, NCTM Create a classroom that engages you and your kids. Make your room a place that you like be in. Some suggestions include: Fill your classroom with…

CUSD Shares Possible STEAM Projects by Grade

Aug 22, 2017 |

Twelve STEAM Innovation Leaders from the Campbell Unified School District (CUSD) came to RAFT earlier this month to create new motivational activities for the start of the school year! They met in grade-level teams with our RAFT Education staff to generate new ideas using…

Teachers Convene at RAFT for Back to School

Aug 15, 2017 | Comments Off

SAN JOSE, CA, August 15, 2017 — RAFT (Resource Area For Teaching) is enabling educators to make hands-on-learning possible at affordable prices in their classrooms. This year, while families are actively purchasing supplies for their children, RAFT has made lesson planning and replenishing classroom materials…