RAFT Blog, News, and Events

RAFT is Bay Area Parent’s Best of the Best (Again!)

September 5, 2023

RAFT is pleased to have been selected as a Bay Area Parent Magazine 2023 Best of the Best Tutoring or Education Support Program. This is the fourth consecutive year RAFT has finished at the top of the list thanks to our comprehensive in-person and online educational offerings, including STEAM Project Kits, Maker Mobile van visits, makerspace builds, tailored educator workshops and more.

From Camper to Camp Counselor: Yiesha R.’s STEAM Dream Story

May 24, 2023

For brand new campers, the first day of camp is filled with curiosity, a few stomach butterflies and a ton of anticipation for the exciting adventures to come. But what about the first day of camp for a new camp counselor? And what if that camp counselor used to be a camper herself? We caught…

RAFT STEAM Teachers of the Year 2022

May 31, 2022

Congratulations to our 2022 STEAM Teachers of the Year! RAFT’s STEAM Teacher of the Year Awards recognize outstanding pre-K-12 teachers in the Bay Area who incorporate effective hands-on learning and/or maker education into their curriculum. Each awardee demonstrates excellence in teaching in at least one of the following areas: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, or Math. RAFT…

Happy International Day of Education from RAFT!

January 24, 2022

Today the world celebrates International Day of Education! Not only do we recognize the contributions of teachers, the personal development of students, and the hard work of everyone in the education field, but we also take today to recognize the role of education for the world. Education can unlock every individual’s potential and pave the…

RAFT Unveils Four New Hands-On Idea Sheets

Dec 15, 2015 | Comments Off

Four new Idea Sheets were introduced by the RAFT team to help reinforce deeper levels of hands-on learning. December 15, 2015 – Resource Area for Teaching (RAFT) added four new Ideas Sheets aligned to national curriculum standards to their library of over 700 free, downloadable Idea…

Learning the Art of Engagment

Dec 8, 2015 |

By Earlene Coleman B.A.,M.Ed It can be a little unsettling when you think you’re teaching the perfect lesson and actually very few students are paying attention. Teaching has often been called a “noble profession,” one requiring diligence, patience, and a great sense of…

RAFT Honors Michelle Steever with Teacher of the Year Award

Nov 30, 2015 | Comments Off

Michelle Steever, Physics teacher at Pioneer High School, earns the Robert Brownlee Award from RAFT. Each year Resource Area for Teaching (RAFT) selects a leader in hands-on science education to receive the Robert Brownlee Teacher of the Year award. This year, the award…

Creative Reuse Center Established in Taipei

Nov 19, 2015 |

By Betty Ko, Director, Lovely Taiwan Foundation Tricycles made of chairs from bus and classroom In the center of a busy and bustling Taipei, lies a cleverly titled building called the Creative Reuse Center (CRC). The CRC is a place that’s based on creativity as…

My First Grade Classroom Essentials – An Inside Look at RAFT Activity Kits

Nov 12, 2015 |

By Ashley Estes, First Grade Teacher, St. Elizabeth Seton The school year is in full swing and I cannot believe I have started my fourth year a 1st grade teacher. Over the past few years I have been involved with RAFT and have been…

RAFT Collaborates With New Teacher Center on Science-Focused Professional Development Program for Bay Area Teachers

Nov 10, 2015 | Comments Off

Texas Instruments and Tech CU Support New Middle School NGSS Leadership Alliance Program November 10, 2016 – Resource Area for Teaching (RAFT) has partnered with New Teacher Center (NTC) to strengthen science education in the Bay Area by creating a professional development program for lead…