Arkansas STEM standards: hands-on mechanical engineering activities

Arkansas Standards Mapping

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

Alignment reviewed October 2026.

Executive summary

Teachers can use Toyineer projects to address Arkansas academic standards by giving learners physical systems they can construct, observe and explain. Learners can compare how pushes and pulls affect moving components (K-PS2-1), investigate balanced and unbalanced forces (3-PS2-1), and observe repeatable mechanical motion that supports prediction (3-PS2-2). The build also connects flat geometry to three-dimensional form (K.GM.3), combines individual shapes into composite structures (1.GM.2), and provides concrete examples of parallel and perpendicular lines and right angles (3.GM.2). The completed toy provides visible, hands-on evidence for classroom discussion of forces, motion, geometry, spatial reasoning and mechanical systems. 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. Arkansas K-12 Science Standards: Forces and Interactions

KindergartenK-PS2-1

Compare how different strengths or directions of pushes and pulls affect the motion of an object.

During assembly and testing, learners directly push and pull moving components and can observe how changes in direction or applied effort change the resulting motion.

Grade 33-PS2-1

Investigate the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.

Toyineer mechanisms make balanced and unbalanced forces visible. Learners can observe a mechanism at rest, apply force, and explain why a part begins moving, stops or changes direction.

Grade 33-PS2-2

Use observations or measurements of motion as evidence that a pattern can be used to predict future motion.

Constrained Toyineer mechanisms follow repeatable paths. When learners test rockers, followers, push rods and similar parts, they can observe the recurring motion and predict what the mechanism will do next.

II. 2023 Arkansas Mathematics Standards: Geometry & Measurement

KindergartenK.GM.3

Identify two-dimensional attributes of three-dimensional objects.

Folded and assembled Toyineer structures retain visible faces, edges and profiles from their flat printed parts, allowing learners to connect two-dimensional attributes to a three-dimensional object.

Grade 11.GM.2

Create a composite shape using two-dimensional or three-dimensional shapes.

Learners combine individual cut and folded components into larger assemblies and ultimately into one composite mechanical object.

Grade 33.GM.2

Identify perpendicular and parallel lines and right angles in two-dimensional shapes and real-world objects.

Toyineer blueprint parts, folds and alignment features provide concrete examples of parallel and perpendicular edges and right-angle relationships that educators can identify during ordinary construction.

Official standards sources: Arkansas K-12 Science Standardsand 2023 Arkansas 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