Unit Overview

Youth use the Engineering Design Process to design a toy vehicle for a store where everything is made from upcycled materials. Youth explore how vehicle variables affect stability and distance traveled.

  • Grades 3-5
  • Setting: Enrichment
  • Science connection: Wheels and axles
  • 9 activities
  • 45–60 minutes per activity
  • Youth materials available in Spanish

Standards alignment

YES Enrichment units connect with state and national standards. View unit-specific Engineering Upcycled Toy Vehicles Alignment or all Standards Alignments.

Unit Map

Youth engineer a school supply case and learn about the Engineering Design Process, a five-phase problem-solving tool.

Youth explore how to stabilize wheels using various materials.

Youth explore how different wheels affect the distance traveled.

Youth imagine and plan toy vehicles that meet specific criteria. They begin attaching axles to vehicle bodies.

Youth create, test, and improve their toy vehicles.

Youth learn about package engineering and create packages for their toy vehicles.

Youth interview each other, then imagine upcycled toy designs to meet a user’s needs.

Youth learn about the careers of mechanical engineers, toy makers, and upcycling artists.

Youth present their upcycled toy vehicles and share their processes with guests.

Video Resources

View the full unit playlist on YouTube.

Educator Preparation Videos

Distance Test Station

Sample Vehicle

Bump Test Station

Videos for Youth

Test an Upcycled Toy Vehicle

Our funders

Major support for this project has been provided by the National Science Foundation.

What’s Included?

  • Educator Guide (PDF)
  • Optional Educator Slides (Google Slides)
  • Youth Engineering Notebook (PDF)
  • Comic (PDF or Slides)
  • Print Materials (PDF)