RAFT - Resource Area For Teaching

RAFT works to 1) provide affordable learning materials 2) bridge the education gap with hands-on learning resources and 3) help the environment by reusing materials for educational purposes.

It is a well-known fact that educators are underpaid. Not only are they underpaid, but typically spend an annual average of $1,000-$2,000 out of pocket to supply their classrooms and often struggle to find materials to teach complex STEAM subjects. RAFT works with other organizations in order to provide affordable learning materials.

Studies show that when hands-on learning is included in the classroom, students do better. RAFT works to make it easier for educators to incorporate these activities with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering Art and Math) concepts in mind. Hands-on learning also supports students who do not always have access to the internet. Even in Silicon Valley, it is estimated that 100,000 students do not have the internet at home. Hands-on learning, RAFT believes, can help bridge the education gap that exists around the country.

RAFT’s affordable learning materials and hands-on lessons are produced, and inspired, by recycled materials. RAFT works with local organizations for donated materials. Annually, RAFT has diverted 300 tons of waste from landfills.

RAFT Store offers educators/members access to affordable learning materials at its 32,000 square foot facility. RAFT works with local organizations for donations in materials to keep costs down and affordable. In addition, the Store is now open to everyone which includes parents, students, and their families, not only educators. This new change after 26 years was brought upon by the pandemic.

RAFT offers professional development training and tools for incorporating STEAM principles, with a focus on hands-on education. Hands-on instruction has a long and successful legacy in the sciences and math. By using hands-on instruction, educators foster 21st-century skills critical to success. RAFT further makes it easier for educators to incorporate hands-on learning in the classroom by making STEAM Project Kits that come with instructions and all the materials needed for an engaging learning experience.

Hands-on learning is further important because many students do not have access to the internet at home. This further grows the education gap among students. In order to address this, especially during distance learning, RAFT handed out over 70,000 STEAM Project Kits to students. RAFT has also developed FREE STEAM Learning Activity sheets that lead families in engaging activities with common household items.

All of our resources are made, or inspired by, recycled and repurposed materials. Annually RAFT diverts 300 tons of materials from landfills.

RAFT has a $3M operating budget, and provides materials, workshops, and a store for over 8,000 educator members and their 150,000 students in the Bay Area and nationwide. With support from 6,000 volunteers, financial and material donations from over 200 corporate partners, and support from individual donors, RAFT helps educators increase their instructional time in STEAM subjects. Donated materials become inexpensive supplies and enable us to be a certified green organization.

RAFT has been serving the education community for 26 years
RAFT serves 8,000 educators and 150,000 students annually
Hosted 80 Professional Development Trainings in 2020 Serving over 1,000 educators.
17 Makerspaces Built and Supported through 2019-2020.
46 STEAM Project Kits Available
70,000 STEAM Project Kits and Activities Distributed to Title-1 Schools during Covid Response
120 STEAM Learning Activity Sheets Created in 2020
300 Students Served in 2020 Virtual Summer Program