Manitoba STEM standards: hands-on mechanical engineering activities

Manitoba Standards Mapping

Teachers can use Toyineer projects to address selected Manitoba Grade 3 Science and Mathematics learning outcomes through hands-on mechanical construction.

Alignment reviewed October 2026.

Executive summary

Teachers can use Toyineer projects to address Manitoba learning outcomes by giving learners physical systems they can construct, measure, observe and explain. The renewed Grade 3 Science curriculum provides especially strong matches: learners can examine why materials are chosen for structures (SCI.3.E.1), how joining methods affect structural properties (SCI.3.E.2), and how pushes, pulls and twists act as forces (SCI.3.E.6). Working mechanisms make opposing forces, balanced and unbalanced forces, and force-caused motion or deformation directly observable (SCI.3.E.7; SCI.3.E.8), while the ordinary build also supports safe engineering practice and measurement (SCI.3.C.2; SCI.3.C.3). In mathematics, learners can measure length, width and height (3.SS.3) and describe three-dimensional objects using faces, edges and vertices (3.SS.6). The completed toy provides unusually direct, hands-on evidence for classroom discussion of structures, forces, measurement, geometry, tool use and engineering. 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. Manitoba Grade 3 Science: Scientific Practice & Structures

Grade 3SCI.3.C.2

Measure using appropriate techniques, tools and standard units, including use of a ruler for length.

A ruler is part of the ordinary Toyineer tool set. Learners use measurement and physical dimensions while working with printed components and checking fit and alignment.

Grade 3SCI.3.C.3

Apply scientific, technological or engineering practices in ways that respect personal and others' safety.

Toyineer construction requires observing, measuring, building, checking function and using tools and materials safely throughout the ordinary making process.

Grade 3SCI.3.E.1

Demonstrate understanding that material choice for structures involves properties such as strength, flexibility, mass and ease of use.

The build makes carton board's material properties visible. Learners encounter rigid panels, flexible joints, reinforced areas and shapes chosen to balance strength, flexibility and ease of construction.

Grade 3SCI.3.E.2

Demonstrate understanding that building materials can be joined in different ways to enhance structural properties.

Toyineer uses folds, glued joints, clips, flanges, lamination and reinforcement for different purposes. Learners can see how the joining method changes strength, stability, flexibility and function.

II. Manitoba Grade 3 Science: Force

Grade 3SCI.3.E.6

Demonstrate understanding that a force can be a push, pull or twist acting on an object.

Learners directly push, pull and twist parts while assembling and operating Toyineer mechanisms, making the meaning of force physically observable.

Grade 3SCI.3.E.7

Demonstrate understanding that forces act in directions and can be opposed by forces in the opposite direction, including balanced and unbalanced forces.

Toyineer mechanisms make opposing forces visible through resistance, contact, flexure and constrained movement. Learners can compare parts at rest with parts moving under an unbalanced applied force.

Grade 3SCI.3.E.8

Demonstrate understanding that an unbalanced force can change an object's motion or deform its shape.

Actuating a Toyineer toy produces immediate changes in motion, while flexure hinges and carton board components visibly bend or change shape under applied force.

III. Manitoba Grade 3 Mathematics: Shape and Space

Grade 33.SS.3

Measure and record length, width and height using centimetres and metres.

Toyineer construction provides a practical setting for using a ruler and relating physical dimensions to the fit and alignment of real components.

Grade 33.SS.6

Describe three-dimensional objects by the shapes of their faces and by their numbers of edges and vertices.

Folded and assembled Toyineer components provide tangible three-dimensional objects whose faces, edges and vertices can be identified directly during construction.

Official standards sources: Manitoba Grade 3 Science — Framework for Learning and Manitoba Grade 3 Mathematics — Framework for Learning.

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