Resource Area for Teaching

Imagine a classroom where students are excited and inspired and teachers have ideas and fun projects to teach abstract concepts. Then, imagine a place where educators can purchase low-cost materials and activity kits and find out how to put hands-on learning into action.

What would you see? RAFT—a store, learning and community hub, and class prep space all rolled into one!

Founded in 1994, Resource Area for Teaching (RAFT) is a nonprofit organization focused on inspiring, engaging, and educating children through the power of hands-on teaching. Learning by doing—this simple yet powerful concept has been at the heart of RAFT’s mission since the beginning and is even more relevant for 21st century learners. By transforming the learning environment, RAFT is closing the achievement gap and helping students apply their knowledge to a real world environment.

Our motto: Teach the way kids want to learn.

RAFT is based in San Jose with locations in Redwood City, Sunnyvale and Colorado and has an e-store accessible anywhere. 

• More than 700 free RAFT Idea Sheets are available online. These easy-to-use, hands-on experience guides are based on readily available, low-cost materials such as cardboard tubes, bottle caps, old CDs, and more. And they are linked to core curriculum topics and searchable by grade level, subject area, and content standard.

 

• RAFT's pre-packaged Activity Kits contain the materials needed to complete our most popular hands-on projects, and every kit is aligned to national curriculum standards and can be used with any textbook or lesson plan. Check out RAFT’s e-store to learn more.

 

• Learning at RAFT focuses on hands-on teaching techniques. Our professional development program includes mentoring and free, one-on-one guidance for members; low-cost training in STEAM, ECE, and classroom skills to meet individual teacher needs; and tailored training in math and science content.

• Did you know that RAFT upcycles two cargo vans full of waste into engaging teaching materials every single day? RAFT members can shop at the Resource Center store for low-cost supplies. Donated surplus materials from local businesses and corporations—manufacturing by-products, office supplies, promo items, packaging materials, lab equipment—are used by educators to assemble hands-on teaching activities.

Support RAFT and YOU can help train the next generation of Silicon Valley innovators!