RAFT Blog, News, and Events

DreamBox Impact Series: Milpitas Unified School District

April 1, 2025

Engaging EL and SPED Learners Through Hands-On STEAM For the past two summers, RAFT has partnered with Milpitas Unified School District to bring hands-on STEAM learning to the district’s Extended School Year (ESY) summer program. This past summer, 230 fourth- through sixth-grade Special Education (SPED) and English Learner (EL) students became environmental engineers-designing water filtration…

Bringing Stories to Life: RAFT’s Intersession Program at Northwood Elementary

March 18, 2025

This winter, Northwood Elementary students in Berryessa School District embarked on a creative journey through RAFT’s three-day Intersession program. Designed to spark imagination and hands-on learning, the program engaged 66 students in grades K-5 in the art of puppet-making, storytelling, and performance, culminating in a special showcase for families. Student-made marionette puppets displayed with crafting…

DreamBox Impact Series: Oak Grove School District

February 27, 2025

Empowering Newcomers Through Hands-On STEAM Learning In Summer 2024, students at Oak Grove School District‘s Newcomer Summer Academy embarked on an innovative hands-on STEAM adventure. Through RAFT’s creative reuse materials and engaging activity kits, 75 students explored the mysteries of space while strengthening their English language skills, guided by 3 dedicated teachers. Hands-on learning is…

Sparking Curiosity through Hands-On Learning with Jeffrey and Maureen Fox

February 26, 2025

For over 30 years, RAFT has provided resources and support to local educators and students. RAFT’s commitment to hands-on learning for STEAM subjects has evolved to include activities such as STEAM Project Kits, as well as programs like our Makerspace and Maker Mobile activities, and most recently a STEAM Dream Summer Camp for students around…

Help us bring joy back to the classroom by supporting RAFT

Nov 22, 2021 | Comments Off

Joy has been hard to find for the past two years during the pandemic. As we transition back to the in-person classroom, educators are noticing students being unsure about being back as well as struggling emotionally and socially compared to previous years. Now educators…

RAFT’s Commitment to Responsible and Affordable Hands-on STEAM Learning

Nov 16, 2021 | Comments Off

Science, technology, engineering, art, and math. When we hear these words, it’s easy to picture students in a classroom, scientists in white coats huddled together in a lab, or an engineer hunched over a drawing board. And that’s totally understandable! After hearing so much…

Thank you, StopWaste!

Nov 15, 2021 | Comments Off

It’s our mission at RAFT to make STEAM learning more accessible and effective through our various programs – from our Store, to Maker Mobile to our Project kits and activities. And, as we carry out this mission, we do our best to stay committed…

November 8th: An Extra Special Day for Education

Nov 8, 2021 | Comments Off

Today is STEAM Day and National Parents as Teachers Day! Not only do we recognize the importance of a well-rounded education, but we also devote our attention to the people who start the educational journeys of our children. As students and educators, there’s a…

STEAMed Eggs: The Perfect Kit for National Deviled Egg Day

Nov 2, 2021 | Comments Off

Today is National Deviled Egg Day and eggs are the star of the show on today’s menu! Celebrate with RAFT’s Egg Drop kit and make eggs the star of the show in the classroom! Egg Drop This STEAM learning kit encourages learners to combine…

2021 Black Friday Sales – Exciting Promotions

Nov 1, 2021 | Comments Off

Excited for the holiday season? Get your holiday decor and gifts early on at RAFT on November 16th-20th for our Pre-Black Friday Week Sale and on November 26th for our Black Friday One Day Sale! We have a great selection of holiday items at…