Washington STEM standards: hands-on mechanical engineering activities

Washington Standards Mapping

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

Alignment reviewed October 2026.

Executive summary

Teachers can use Toyineer projects to address Washington academic standards by giving learners physical systems they can construct, observe and explain. Learners can compare the effects of pushes and pulls (K-PS2-1), investigate balanced and unbalanced forces in a working mechanism (3-PS2-1), and observe recurring motion patterns that allow future movement to be predicted (3-PS2-2). Washington's currently required mathematics standards add clear geometry connections through distinguishing two-dimensional from three-dimensional shapes (K.G.3) and composing individual forms into larger composite shapes (1.G.2). The completed toy provides visible, hands-on evidence for classroom discussion of force, 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. Washington State Science Learning Standards: Forces and Motion

KindergartenK-PS2-1

Compare the effects of different strengths or directions of pushes and pulls on the motion of an object.

During ordinary assembly and testing, learners push and pull moving components and can compare how changes in direction or relative effort affect 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 compare a mechanism at rest with one under an applied force and explain how the resulting net force changes motion.

Grade 33-PS2-2

Use observations or measurements of an object's motion as evidence that a recurring pattern can be used to predict future motion.

Rockers, followers, push rods and other constrained components follow repeatable paths. Learners can observe one cycle and predict the next position or direction of the moving part.

II. Washington State Mathematics Learning Standards: Geometry

KindergartenK.G.3

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

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

Grade 11.G.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: Washington State Learning Standards, Washington State Mathematics Learning Standards and Washington State Science Learning 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