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…

The “RAFTy” Teacher Checklist – 5 Things to do to Prepare for Back to School

Aug 7, 2017 |

Harvesting an Orchard of Innovative Makers! Orchard School District Teachers share 1st year RAFT Makerspace Experiences

Jun 22, 2017 |

Written by Peter Holley, Middle School Orchard teacher and this year’s Makerspace Cohort Lead Teacher The maker space at Orchard School came into being this year with a community build in October. Although our space is small, it is well put together and well…

RAFT Honors 25 Robert Brownlee 2017 Science Teacher of the Year Nominees

Jun 7, 2017 | Comments Off

For the 10th annual Robert Brownlee Science Teacher of the Year award, RAFT honored all 25 nominees at its Member Appreciation Party on June 3. This year’s nominees have a combined total of 285 years of teaching experience. RAFT applauds their dedication to bringing…

SuiteWorld17 Volunteers Prepare Hands-on STEM Learning Materials for 44,000 Students

Jun 1, 2017 | Comments Off

Exponential impact in Silicon Valley can be best demonstrated by when non-profit and for-profit organizations work together. Building on SuiteWorld17’s theme of “Next Starts Now,” Resource Area For Teaching (RAFT) and Oracle + NetSuite collaborated on a volunteer activity that benefits the next generation…

May 24, 2017 |

Are You Burned Out? – What To Do Now By Myesha Mebane, Science Department Chair at Martin Luther King Jr. Junior High School It’s May and you may be experiencing “Burn Out”, what do you do now? It is too late to consider what…

STUDENT IMPACT STUDY

May 10, 2017 |

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_layout=”light”] RAFT Hands-on Learning Model Promotes Achievement in Bay Area Schools Independent Research Study Shows that RAFT Hands-on Learning Activities Engage Students and Improve Academic Performance Rockman Et Al, a respected education research firm, has just concluded a study demonstrating…