New Mexico STEM standards: hands-on mechanical engineering activities

New Mexico Standards Mapping

Teachers can use Toyineer projects to address selected New Mexico STEM Ready! Science Standards and New Mexico Common Core State Standards for Mathematics through hands-on mechanical construction.

Alignment reviewed October 2026.

Executive summary

Teachers can use Toyineer projects to address New Mexico academic standards by giving learners physical systems they can construct, observe and explain. The repeating motion of the finished toy gives learners observations of an object’s motion that show how a pattern can be used to predict future motion (3-PS2-2). As flat printed parts become three-dimensional structures, learners identify shapes as two-dimensional or three-dimensional (K.G.3) and analyze and compare two- and three-dimensional shapes (K.G.4). They then compose shapes into a larger composite object (1.G.2). The completed toy provides visible, hands-on evidence for classroom discussion of motion, geometry, spatial reasoning and interacting mechanical components. 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. New Mexico STEM Ready! Science Standards: Forces and Motion

Grade 33-PS2-2

Make observations and/or measurements of an object’s motion to provide evidence that a pattern can be used to predict future motion.

Rockers, sliders, push rods and other guided components follow the same path each time the toy is operated. Learners can observe one complete cycle of a working toy and use that repeating pattern to predict where, and in which direction, the moving part will travel next.

II. New Mexico Common Core State Standards: Mathematics — Geometry

KindergartenK.G.3

Identify shapes as two-dimensional (lying in a plane, “flat”) or three-dimensional (“solid”).

Toyineer begins with flat printed parts and transforms them into three-dimensional structures, giving educators a direct physical example of the distinction between 2-D and 3-D form.

KindergartenK.G.4

Analyze and compare two- and three-dimensional shapes, in different sizes and orientations, using informal language to describe their similarities, differences, parts (e.g., number of sides and vertices/“corners”) and other attributes (e.g., having sides of equal length).

Learners hold a flat printed part and the three-dimensional form it becomes after folding. Educators can ask them to compare the two, describing similarities and differences and counting sides, edges and corners.

Grade 11.G.2

Compose two-dimensional shapes (rectangles, squares, trapezoids, triangles, half-circles, and quarter-circles) or three-dimensional shapes (cubes, right rectangular prisms, right circular cones, and right circular cylinders) to create a composite shape, and compose new shapes from the composite shape.

Learners join separately folded components, such as box-like housings and sleeves, into larger assemblies, and then combine those assemblies into one composite mechanical object.

Official standards sources: New Mexico STEM Ready! Science Standards and New Mexico Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.

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