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…

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…

Renovated Volunteer Center Thanks To Rebuilding Together and DPR Construction

Oct 25, 2021 | Comments Off

With help from Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley and DPR Construction, RAFT has a new and improved volunteer center. Thank you to the volunteers for revamping our volunteer center and providing an inviting space for our volunteers and staff. DPR Construction is a unique technical builder with…

Members: Help us improve and win a $50 RAFT gift certificate!

Oct 19, 2021 | Comments Off

Your input last year led to many significant changes to improve the shopping experience at RAFT. Here’s how your feedback helped us: Members wanted more direction within the store. So RAFT added signage throughout the store with more signs to come! Members wanted to…

25 Years of Commitment: Anne Murphy!

Oct 18, 2021 | Comments Off

RAFT would like to give a HUGE congratulations and thank you to Anne Murphy for celebrating 25 years working at RAFT. Anne originally came to help out for only 6 weeks and stayed on the RAFT team as our accountant for the last 25…

2 New Kits for Early Childhood Educators (ECE)!

Oct 18, 2021 | Comments Off

RAFT has 2 new kits: Paper Sunflowers and Rolling Maze. These kits are the first in a series of kits specially geared for early childhood educators (ECE) and early elementary teachers. Paper Sunflowers Young learners practice motor skills and blend science, art, and math…

RAFT Hall of Fame | Class of 2021

Sep 23, 2021 | Comments Off

Congratulations to our 2021 STEAM Teachers of the Year, RAFT Heroes, RAFT Partner of the Year and RAFT Volunteer Award winners! Thank you for all you do for our students, our education community, and RAFT! STEAM Teachers of the Year Melissa NakamuraLagunita Elementary School…