RAFT Blog, News, and Events

Featured Articles and News

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

🏆 RAFT Wins Double Gold in Bay Area Parent’s 2025 Best of the Best Awards!

July 29, 2025

RAFT is proud to announce that our STEAM Dream Summer Camp has been awarded Gold in two categories in Bay Area Parent Magazine’s 2025 Best of the Best Awards: 🥇 Best Day Camp – Silicon Valley 🥇 Best Science & Technology Camp – Silicon Valley This exciting recognition reflects the strength and impact of RAFT’s…

Read More

Michael S. Pollock: 20 Years of ‘Found Engineering’

Sep 10, 2022 | Comments Off on Michael S. Pollock: 20 Years of ‘Found Engineering’

Today, September 10, 2022, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Michael S. Pollock, our one and only Making Wizard Engineer, at RAFT.  Prior to joining RAFT, Mike was a teacher for over twenty-five years and was always passionate about science. He enjoys giving kids…

Read More

17+ Years With RAFT Store!

Jun 29, 2022 | Comments Off on 17+ Years With RAFT Store!

by Arlyne Nava Introducing Lilia At RAFT Store Meet Lilia Mata Vazquez, an engagement coordinator who’s been with RAFT Store for 17 years.  When Lilia and her sister were both job searching through an employment agency, her sister was placed first. That’s when a…

Read More

RAFT STEAM Teachers of the Year 2022

May 31, 2022 | Comments Off on RAFT STEAM Teachers of the Year 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…

Read More

Sares Regis Supports Maker Mobile Visit to Costano Elementary

Mar 11, 2022 | Comments Off on Sares Regis Supports Maker Mobile Visit to Costano Elementary

RAFT would like to thank the Sares Regis Foundation for providing a grant to support the students and teachers at Costano Elementary.  On February 15, RAFT worked with Costano makerspace teacher Bill Correll (Mr.Bill) to bring the Maker Mobile to Costano Elementary to serve…

Read More

Woman’s Club of Palo Alto supports East Palo Alto Academy STEAM Initiative

Jan 31, 2022 | Comments Off on Woman’s Club of Palo Alto supports East Palo Alto Academy STEAM Initiative

RAFT would like to thank the Woman’s Club of Palo Alto for providing a grant to support the students and teachers at East Palo Alto Academy (EPAA) in their STEAM initiatives over the past year. During the early days of distance learning, RAFT provided…

Read More

Happy International Day of Education from RAFT!

Jan 24, 2022 | Comments Off on Happy International Day of Education from RAFT!

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…

Read More