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…

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

May 24, 2023 | Comments Off

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…

Light Up Your Holidays with a STEAM Kit!

Dec 1, 2022 | Comments Off

RAFT just launched its newest STEAM Project Kit, Winter Light-Up Ornaments. It’s the perfect activity for the entire family to get into the holiday spirit and enjoy hands-on STEAM learning. The kit uses a coin cell battery and conductive cloth tape to light up…

2022 RAFT Awards

Nov 25, 2022 | Comments Off

GreatNonprofits 2022 Top-Rated Award RAFT once again made it to GreatNonprofits‘ Top-Rated List. The Top-Rated Award is a people’s choice award where volunteers, donors, supporters,and community members share stories about their experiences with a nonprofit and rates the organization out of 5 stars. Maintaining…

AmazonSmile: Shop and Support!

Nov 17, 2022 | Comments Off

Help support RAFT by shopping on Amazon! AmazonSmile allows you to support your favorite charity every time you shop. You’ll find the exact selection of items, prices, and services with the added benefit that Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the…

Subscribe, Save, STEAM!

Nov 11, 2022 | Comments Off

Get regular access to affordable, sustainable, and quality STEAM kits and learning activities through RAFT’s STEAM Subscription Kits! This subscription service was launched in 2021 as a way for us to share our dedication to making STEAM learning more accessible and engaging. Individual Subscription…

RAFT – Found Engineering

Nov 3, 2022 | Comments Off

At RAFT we strongly believe that hands-on learning is crucial to a student’s development and learning. Students who are more physically engaged in the learning experience tend to have a deeper understanding with higher engagement and improved outcomes. Hands-on activities require materials that can…