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…

Happy International Day of Education from RAFT!

Jan 24, 2022 | Comments Off

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…

RAFT Makerspace Build comes to San Lucas Union School District

Jan 19, 2022 | Comments Off

The rain of December took a brief hiatus to allow RAFT’s Education Team to bring the excitement of a makerspace build to San Lucas Union School District in southern Monterey County. With the support of all 75 students, they built new tool walls and…

RAFT’s Winter STEAM Lab Uses STEAM Activities to Take Students to the Stars

Jan 15, 2022 | Comments Off

We’ve said before that it’s a great idea to kick off the new year with some STEAM learning, and we’re so happy to say that the RAFT Education Team helped the students of Luther Burbank Elementary School in San Jose do just that. In…

Launch into January with our Puff Rocket STEAM Activity!

Jan 10, 2022 | Comments Off

Our “Puff Rocket” is our STEAM activity of the month, and it’s the perfect kit to launch 2022 with some great STEAM learning. Like all of our quality kits, it guides you through fundamental lessons with some really fun challenges, all while being made…

RAFT’s Maker Mobile Brings Hands-on STEAM Activities to Local Boys & Girls Clubs

Dec 21, 2021 | Comments Off

We at RAFT are immensely glad to provide STEAM activities for the community, and one of the amazing ways we do this is with the Maker Mobile Van. Equipped with all the tools, materials, and staff necessary to bring STEAM activities everywhere it visits,…

Discover the Potential of STEAM Learning on National Energy Conservation Day!

Dec 14, 2021 | Comments Off

Today, India celebrates National Energy Conservation Day, so let’s take a page out of their book and do the same! Turn off the lights when you leave the room, unplug any devices you’re not using, and see if you can walk, bike, or take…