North Dakota STEM standards: hands-on mechanical engineering activities

North Dakota Standards Mapping

Teachers can use Toyineer projects to address selected 2023 North Dakota Mathematics Content Standards through hands-on mechanical construction.

Alignment reviewed October 2026.

Executive summary

Teachers can use Toyineer projects to address North Dakota academic standards by giving learners physical systems they can construct, observe and explain. Learners compose geometric shapes by combining simple shapes (K.GM.G.4) and build larger forms by combining two-dimensional shapes and three-dimensional solids such as rectangles and rectangular prisms (1.GM.G.4). Because every structure begins as a flat printed part, learners can also identify the two-dimensional shapes found within the three-dimensional shapes they build (2.GM.G.2). The completed toy provides visible, hands-on evidence for classroom discussion of geometry, spatial reasoning, mechanics 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. 2023 North Dakota Mathematics Content Standards: Geometry

KindergartenK.GM.G.4

Compose a geometric shape by combining two or more simple shapes.

Learners join simple folded components into larger assemblies, and then combine those assemblies into one complete mechanical object.

Grade 11.GM.G.4

Compose a geometric shape or solid by combining multiple two-dimensional shapes and/or three-dimensional solids (squares, circles, triangles, rectangles, trapezoids, rhombuses, pentagons, hexagons, octagons, cubes, spheres, cylinders, cones, triangular prisms, and rectangular prisms).

Rectangular panels are folded into box-like housings and other rectangular prisms, and those solids are joined to form larger structures and finally the finished toy.

Grade 22.GM.G.2

Identify two-dimensional shapes found within three-dimensional shapes.

Every Toyineer structure starts as a flat printed part. Learners can see, and point to, the rectangles and other flat shapes that become the faces of each three-dimensional form they fold and assemble.

Official standards sources: 2023 North Dakota Mathematics Content Standards K-12.

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