Blog Posts Archives

On September 21, 2022, RAFT hosted its annual fundraising event. This year’s event, CSI:RAFT, highlighted what resources are needed to have an engaging classroom. We had over 100 in-person attendees while 20 joined us online. During the hybrid event, guests were able to learn more about RAFT, honor the people and organizations that have made…

As we were welcomed by cooler temperatures and falling leaves, RAFT held its annual Membership Drive on October 1st and 2nd, 2022. On Saturday, RAFT brought out its best and deeply discounted items from the store for a Parking Lot Sale open to the public. Both members and non-members could roam around the RAFT parking…

October is International Walk to School month! The CDC recommends that children ages 3 through 5 years need to be active throughout the day, while children and adolescents ages 6 through 17 need to be active for 60 minutes every day (see here for more information). In celebration of the fundamental need to exercise, RAFT…

On September 17, Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley and volunteers from DPR Construction spent the day at RAFT remodeling our Educator Workroom. The program was kicked off by Valentina Sanchez of DPR, Ryan Monger and Victoria Chang of Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley, and Jason Morrella of RAFT. The rest of the day was spent tearing down,…

Congratulations to our 2022 STEAM Teachers of the Year, RAFT Heroes, RAFT Volunteer Awardees, and RAFT Partner of the Year! Thank you for all you do for our educators, students, our community, and RAFT! STEAM Teachers of the Year Kim Brown STEAM Teacher, Raymond J. Fisher Middle School STEAM Teacher of the Year Presented by…

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 tools with which they can explore a phenomenon or can modify…

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 coworker of Lilia’s sister mentioned to the manager, “Since Lilia’s sister…

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…

The RAFT Maker Mobile, sponsored by The Sharks Foundation and Western Digital, rolled onto the Milpitas School District campus on a cool July morning. About 50 summer school students joined RAFT’s Education facilitators, Qi Diaz, Mikey Ramot, and Mike Pollock for the Ramp It Up design challenge. The Ramp It Up challenge encourages students to…

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 STEAM Teacher of the Year presented by KPMG Mrs. Nakamura is…