Arizona STEM standards: hands-on mechanical engineering activities

Arizona Standards Mapping

Teachers can use Toyineer projects to address selected Arizona Science and Mathematics Standards through hands-on mechanical construction.

Alignment reviewed October 2026.

Executive summary

Teachers can use Toyineer projects to address Arizona academic standards by giving learners physical systems they can construct, observe and explain. Mechanical actions make pushes, pulls, twists and the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces visible (1.P3U1.3; 5.P3U1.4), while moving components provide a concrete example of technology using and transferring energy through a mechanical system (6.P4U2.5). Learners also transform flat printed components into three-dimensional structures and combine individual shapes into complete mechanical objects, supporting Arizona geometry standards K.G.A.3 and 1.G.A.2. The completed toy provides visible, hands-on evidence for classroom discussion of engineering, mechanics, geometry and how interacting components work together. Toyineer projects are hands-on engineering activities that teach mechanics, geometry, spatial reasoning and technical problem solving through the construction of working mechanical toys. Video instruction and clear assembly guides support independent and classroom use while keeping educator preparation minimal.

Standards and evidence.

These alignments use only the ordinary Toyineer construction process. They do not depend on a separate extension activity.

I. Arizona Science Standards: Force, Motion & Energy

Grade 11.P3U1.3

Investigate how balanced forces can hold objects in balance and how unequal pushes, pulls, or twists can change an object's motion or shape.

During assembly and testing, learners push, pull, twist and flex moving parts. A teacher can use those actions to make balanced and unbalanced forces visible and to connect applied force with changes in motion, direction or shape.

Grade 55.P3U1.4

Gather, analyze and communicate evidence about how balanced and unbalanced forces affect the motion of objects.

Toyineer mechanisms make opposing and unbalanced forces observable. Learners can examine parts at rest, apply force to the mechanism, and explain how a net force starts, stops or changes motion.

Grade 66.P4U2.5

Analyze how people use technology to store potential energy and/or make use of kinetic energy.

A Toyineer toy is a visible mechanical technology. As the toy is actuated, learners can trace how motion is used and transferred through interacting components to create the intended mechanical action.

II. Arizona Mathematics Standards: Geometry

KindergartenK.G.A.3

Identify shapes as two-dimensional (flat) or three-dimensional (solid).

Toyineer starts with flat printed parts and turns them into three-dimensional structures. The build gives educators a direct physical example for distinguishing a two-dimensional form from a three-dimensional object.

Grade 11.G.A.2

Compose two-dimensional or three-dimensional shapes to create a composite shape.

Learners combine separate cut, folded and assembled components into larger structures and ultimately into one composite mechanical object.

Official standards sources: Arizona Science Standards and Arizona Mathematics Standards.

Hands-on evidence for standards-aligned learning.

Teachers can use Toyineer projects to address these standards. Students also gain skill in their use of tools and appreciate the importance of accuracy in engineering.

All standards pages