RAFT Blog, News, and Events

Featured Articles and News

Bringing Hands-On STEAM Learning to San Diego Educators

May 18, 2025

RAFT recently had the pleasure of participating in the San Diego STEAM Educators Conference at the University of San Diego from May 16-17. The event brought together hundreds of teachers from across the state committed to advancing STEAM education across Southern California. Nancy McIntyre, RAFT’s new Community Engagement Manager, represented our team at the conference,…

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From Honoree to Advocate: A STEAM Award’s Ripple Effect

May 14, 2025

At RAFT, we believe in celebrating educators who bring STEAM to life through hands-on learning. Our STEAM Teachers and Administrators of the Year Awards honor those who go above and beyond-and sometimes, that recognition inspires something even bigger. Just ask Bryan Williams, a past STEAM Teacher of the Year award recipient who later nominated another…

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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…

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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…

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Celebrate National Make a Gift Day with the Perfect STEAM Kit!

Dec 3, 2021 | Comments Off on Celebrate National Make a Gift Day with the Perfect STEAM Kit!

Today is National Make a Gift Day! That means it’s time to get creative and make something special for someone special. But what should you make? How about using our Scalloped Circle String Art Kit and use hands-on STEAM learning to make the perfect…

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2021 Christmas Sale – Finish the Year Strong!

Nov 30, 2021 | Comments Off on 2021 Christmas Sale – Finish the Year Strong!

Excited for the holiday season? Get your holiday decor and gifts early on at RAFT during our Christmas Sale from now till December 23rd. We have a great selection of holiday items at affordable prices.  Save BIG on your christmas decorations with 75% off…

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It’s Time to Tinker, Thanks to RAFT’s New STEAM Project Kit Subscription Service!

Nov 27, 2021 | Comments Off on It’s Time to Tinker, Thanks to RAFT’s New STEAM Project Kit Subscription Service!

We at RAFT are proud to launch our new STEAM Project Kit Subscription Service! Becoming a subscriber means you get a selection of our quality STEAM learning kits every month, all at an affordable price! We hope that this service will continue our mission…

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Help us bring joy back to the classroom by supporting RAFT

Nov 22, 2021 | Comments Off on Help us bring joy back to the classroom by supporting RAFT

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…

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

Nov 16, 2021 | Comments Off on RAFT’s Commitment to Responsible and Affordable Hands-on STEAM Learning

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…

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Thank you, StopWaste!

Nov 15, 2021 | Comments Off on Thank you, StopWaste!

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…

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