RAFT Blog, News, and Events

Featured Articles and News

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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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RAFT Launches Rock the Ravine Design Challenge Kit

Oct 19, 2016 | Comments Off on RAFT Launches Rock the Ravine Design Challenge Kit

SAN JOSE, CALIF. – October 19, 2016 – RAFT – Resource Area for Teaching, the leading solution center to help educators transform a child’s learning experience through hands-on education, announces the launch of our Rock the Ravine Design Challenge kit.  This design challenge is…

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RAFT Offers Fun Ways to Educate Kids for Earthquakes

Oct 6, 2016 | Comments Off on RAFT Offers Fun Ways to Educate Kids for Earthquakes

SAN JOSE, CALIF. – October 6, 2016 – RAFT – Resource Area For Teaching, the leading solution center to help educators in transform a child’s learning experience through hands-on education, offers fun ways to educate and prepare kids for earthquakes. .Last month was recognized…

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RAFT Celebrates Cisco Reaching 30,000 Volunteer Hours

Sep 28, 2016 | Comments Off on RAFT Celebrates Cisco Reaching 30,000 Volunteer Hours

SAN JOSE, CALIF. – September 28, 2016 – RAFT – Resource Area For Teaching, dedicated to helping educators transform a child’s learning experience through hands-on education, announces Cisco has surpassed the milestone of 30,000 volunteer hours with RAFT.  RAFT is elated to celebrate this…

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RAFT’s Out of the Box: Shifting Gears Fundraising Dinner —A Huge Success!

Sep 28, 2016 |

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text] RAFT’s annual fundraising dinner was a HUGE success! Thank you to all the sponsors, vendors, guests, and staff for their contributions in making this event possible. Guests enjoyed an evening of engagement, creativity, and inspiration! Special thanks to our keynote speaker…

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RAFT Honors Jan Esaki with the 2016 Teacher of the Year Award

Aug 29, 2016 | Comments Off on RAFT Honors Jan Esaki with the 2016 Teacher of the Year Award

SAN JOSE, CALIF. – August 30, 2016 – RAFT – Resource Area For Teaching, the leading solution center to help educators in transforming a child’s learning experience through hands-on education, announces Jan Esaki of Borel Middle School, San Mateo, CA as the Robert Brownlee…

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Jumpstart Hands-on Learning with RAFT’s Makerspace In-A-Box

Aug 18, 2016 | Comments Off on Jumpstart Hands-on Learning with RAFT’s Makerspace In-A-Box

RAFT’s new product help educators become acquainted with Makerspaces quickly and easily SAN JOSE, CALIF. – August 16, 2016 – RAFT – Resource Area For Teaching, the leading source to aid educators in the transformation of a child’s learning experience through hands-on education, announces…

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