Engino Discovering STEM Technology of Machines: How Cars Work, Building Toys for Kids Ages 9+ (10 Models to Build)
In stock
SKU: STEM23
Specifications
9+
Appropriate
Ages
140
Pieces
10
Models to
Build
1
Printed
Instructions
10
Online 3D
Instructions
Case Pack Details
Description
Description
Cars are more than just wheels and engines, they’re rolling classrooms of physics and engineering. With Engino’s Discovering STEM Technology of Machines: How Cars Work set, kids ages 9+ can build 10 functional models, from city cars to dragsters, while exploring the science behind motion, friction, gearboxes, and safety systems. The included booklet combines theory, experiments, and quizzes, showing how design choices like wheelbase or ride height affect performance in the real world. Whether at home or in the classroom, this set makes abstract STEM concepts concrete, engaging, and fun.
What’s in the Box & Why It Matters
What’s in the Box & Why It Matters
Models Kids Can Build
Models Kids Can Build
Who It’s For
Who It’s For
Learning Benefits
Learning Benefits
James Elwood, Austin, TX
The quality of the plastic and connectors is excellent. We’ve built and rebuilt the same set many times, and it still feels brand new.
Priya Nanda, San Jose, CA
We gave an Engino STEM kit as a birthday gift — it completely outshined the other toys! It keeps our son engaged for hours while teaching him valuable skills.
Ali Khan, Toronto, ON
The instructions are super clear and visual. My 8-year-old was able to build models all by himself within minutes. Great confidence booster!
Sarah Thompson, Chicago, IL
We tried several robotics kits before this, but Engino stands out. It’s not just plug-and-play — kids actually learn how the parts work.
Building
Score depends on the number of parts and connecting points The ENGINO building system has a patented design of the parts which allows connectivity of up to 6 sides simultaneously, while the unique extendable components lead to builds that were previously unthinkable, unleashing kids' creativity and imagination. Sets include printed step-by-step instructions for the main models, but also online through our kidCAD™ interactive app.
Mechanics
Score depends on the number of mechanical parts ENGINO Mechanics System consists of around 150+ different components, including new wheels and axles, beams and connectors and some impressive locking technologies, that are all ® compatible with the Classic ENGINO building system parts. With gears and pulleys models can be engineered to become functionable, by changing speed, direction of motion or torque!
Motors
Score depends on the number of motors The ability to animate technical models using motors is the first step before introducing Robotics. Motorized sets ® can bring your ENGINO inventions to life, offering young learners the ultimate engineering adventure.
Coding
Score depends on sensor's type and quantity Real robots need a controller with microprocessor and sensor inputs and ® various outputs. ENGINO 's patenting methodology of teaching coding starts with manual programming, moves on to virtual simulation, then to drag& drop flow diagrams and even to textual programming, powered by our KEIRO™ and ENVIRO™ software.
Theory
Score depends on amount of STEM/STEAM theory Even though theory learning is often limited to a sterile, mechanical memorization of textbooks, with ® ENGINO kids are engaged through colorful content enriched with interesting facts about the underlying technology which drives the models of each set.
Quiz & Activities
Score depends on number and complexity of exercises By solving fun exercises and quizzes, which are included in the educational ® booklet of most ENGINO sets, also available online, kids will be able to challenge their newly acquired knowledge and test what they have learnt!
Experiments
Score depends on number of experiments In order to foster scientific learning in childhood and get kids interested in learning about science, it is crucial to provide them with hands-on activities that they can explore on their own. Many sets incorporate innovative experimental activities that follow inquiry based learning whereby children can discover by themselves the technological or scientific principles relating to the set.
Open Projects
Score depends on the number and complexity of parts Kids are by nature endowed with inexhaustible imagination and creativity and parents are always looking for ways to enhance and cultivate these ® remarkable qualities. ENGINO system’s inherent design allows easy modification and reconfiguration of the models, empowering kids to engage in open-ended play, allowing them to envision and build their own ideas and not only those proposed by our research team!
Build future-ready skills with hands-on STEM learning
Learn 21st Century Skills with Engino
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Cognitive Skills
Enhance mental processes including attention, memory, and reasoning through engaging activities that challenge and develop thinking capabilities.
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Problem-Solving Thinking
Learn to identify, analyze, and solve complex problems using systematic approaches and innovative solutions.
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Engineering Thinking
Develop the ability to design, build, and optimize systems while understanding how things work and how to improve them.
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Scientific Investigation
Master the scientific method through observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and evidence-based conclusions.
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Computational Thinking & ICT
Break down complex problems into manageable parts and develop algorithmic thinking alongside digital literacy skills.
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Design Thinking, Creativity & Innovation
Foster creative problem-solving, innovative thinking, and user-centered design approaches to create meaningful solutions.
Logical Thinking Problem
Design Thinking
Innovation & Creativity
Scientific Method
Customer Reviews
This kit is a great way for kids to learn the engineering of how cars work. With this kit your child can build 10 different models of cars including a Buggy, a Convertible, a Dragster, a Dune Buggy, an Experimental Car, a Formula Car, a Micro Car, a Racer, a Sports Car and a Targa Top. There are 3D instructions through the Engino app for an additional "Experiment 1."
The kit includes a booklet with written instructions, theories and facts, experimental activities and a quiz. The Engino App which is available through Google Play or the Apple App Store includes 3D instructions as well.
This is part of Engino's Discovering STEM line of educational toys targeted at 8 & 9 year olds and older. Children who are a few years younger should be able to use the kit as well with assistance from an adult. I think that this is a wonderful, hands on approach to learning about how cars work and is truly engaging.
I bought this as a gift for all my children to share but my two youngest girls jumped all over it first, wanting to build the buggy. Given their age, a little guidance from me was needed but they did well and product seems to be fairly spot on with its age rating. The information part of the book, explaining the history of cars, was mostly ignored by them but I am optimistic that they will start to look that over in the near future.
One minor downside is that the website for registering the kit was difficult to work with, as it claimed my email address already had an account, but Engino fixed that a few days later so that I could complete the registration process.
This "How Cars Work" kit is part of the Engino "Discovering STEM" line. This is a very sturdy kit that is not intended for the very young child. It is a great project for a parent and child to do together, however.
The kit comes with a great book that starts by explaining the history and main parts of cars, and then goes into theory and physical laws affecting cars, and ends with a quiz! This is like a kids textbook about cars. It then goes onto printed instructions to make 2different projects: the "Buggy" and the "Dragster".
There is an app that can be downloaded that contains great instructions for both of these plus 8 more kits. These instructions are clear, with piece by piece instructions that can be rotated in 3D to see it from all sides. On a complicated design, this is very helpful. One thing we did notice, was that in the app, the colors of the pieces did not always match the actual pieces.
We chose to start with the Dragster, which is what is in the photos. We used both the book and the app to compare. The parts list on the app for the Dragster did not exactly match the parts list in the book, but other than that worked great.
This is a great kit for your future engineer or just the kid that likes to build. The problem is the adults in the room will also want to get their hands on it.
The kit comes with a tool for taking the pieces apart when you are ready to move on the next project.
My kids love these; my 7-year-old son more than my 12-year-old daughter, and I now come and buy this or other similar items for the same brand as birthday party gifts when I don't know what to get the kids. I think both genders enjoy building blocks a lot, and the STEM aspect makes it an educational gift you can feel good about. My kids and their friends have all enjoyed this racecar as well as the other projects we've done (I know one was a spaceship and one was a dinosaur). It's nice that there are a variety of options for these sets so you can personalize more to someone's interest, or have a variety of projects for kids, like mine, who just enjoy anything and everything like this. My kids put this car together while working together, but I think either one of them could have finished it on their own with minimal to no help. It's very similar to name-brand building blocks but I like a little more focus on generic learning than characters from movies or games, and these are more affordable. I highly recommend this, especially for gifting, for kids of multiple ages, though, honestly, I even enjoy projects like this when my kids let me help too, so don't underestimate builders or puzzlers enjoying it too, even if they are older!
This is the second kit by Enigno that I have put together (the first was a greenhouse). This kit is well-designed, the book has a lot of information and the directions are clear. The online instructions and pictures are better than the book and make the building experience even better. My 6 & 7 yr old grandsons and I worked on this together and had so much fun. We've only made 2 of the models so far and will be disassembling them again and making another one this weekend. I'm taking pics and will post an update with all of our models as soon as we finish. I highly recommend the Enigno kits!
FAQs
What is the appropriate age to play with ENGINO?
The ENGINO system has been tested with children with the association of teachers and the department of Education of the University of Cyprus. It has been found that small models can be built even by 5 years old children. Bigger and complex models are more suited to 8-12 year olds, and our robotics and mega sets are targeting both youngsters and grown-ups as being more hobby items.
What if I lose some parts or manuals? Can I get replacements?
You can buy parts, instructions and books at a very low price from our online shop.
How is the quantity of parts compared to value for money?
Usually construction toys refer to the number of parts contained in a set as an indication of the set's building value. With ENGINO system this reference does not actually apply because the system is unique and the design of the parts allows multiple connectivity in all directions at the same time. As a result, there is no need for intermediate connectors between rods while ENGINO rods are also connectors! The ENGINO system can be described as a combination of the brick system and the spatial "connectors and rod" system. As of that, with ENGINO to build a model you only need around half the parts that you would require with any other conventional system! Furthermore, as ENGINO parts are bigger, the model is also bigger and more manageable. Parts are not easily lost and sets can combine together to create an infinite number of builds. Because the "number of parts" is actually misleading, we have introduced a new term called "connecting points" that indicates how many connections are possible with the particular parts contained in each set.
How many product ranges do you offer?
We offer 14 series that total to 85 products covering a wide range of price, age and choice.
INVENTOR BASIC SERIES- has been developed for maximizing creativity and imagination. In this range many different models can be created from a wide range of themes, from cars to motorbikes, from planes to cranes, from structures to machines, from animals to robots!
INVENTOR PRO SERIES- is the ultimate range and it is more suitable for intermediate and advanced users who literally play to invent! The models created with these sets are bigger and more elaborate and also incorporate technical features. The advanced motor included can be powered with the wired remote control, but it is also connectable to the ENGINO Solar panel and the new ENGINO Robotics Platform (ERP).
INVENTOR UPGRADE SERIES- has been created to allow users to expand their existing sets without having to buy the bigger sets at full cost. These lower upgrade sets begin from the 20 models set and cover each step up to 80 models set.
SOLAR POWER SERIES- uses photovoltaic panels to drive the various models and also have hybrid functions, in-line with the latest technological trends. Global warming and climate change has brought to our attention the need to save the planet by reducing carbon emissions.
MEGA STRUCTURES SERIES- demonstrates the ability of ENGINO to build huge models of impressive size and style. The series covers famous structures such as the Eiffel Tower and technological marvels such as the London Eye.
ECO BUILDS SERIES- is based on a new innovation of ENGINO toy system which connects sustainable beech wood with plastic. The use of wood reduces significantly the plastic parts and leads to more efficient recycling making this product an environmental friendly solution.
PICO BUILDS SERIES- is an ideal low cost entry to the award winning ENGINO toy system. With each set children can build a fully functional model with specialized colors to highlight the particular model.
PICO SPINNERS SERIES- is a new range of colorful spinners. Each set contains a special spinner support component, a printed color disk and a library of ENGINO parts. When all 4 sets are combined, 3 models of planes and helicopters can be assembled!
ENGINO ROBOTICS PLATFORM (ERP) is specially designed for younger children and takes into account the most modern pedagogical principles of learning. ERP intellectual development is approached as an upward expanding spiral in which children must constantly reconstruct the ideas formed at earlier levels with new higher order concepts acquired at the next level.
MECHANICAL SCIENCE SERIES- has been developed for schools and individuals who want to combine theory with practice. The series deals with the core subjects of mechanics and simple machines in a fascinating and enjoyable way, leading children to the attainment of knowledge through experiments and hands on activities. It also extends to cover other important science subjects such as structures, bridges, Newtons laws and renewable energy.
How ecological are ENGINO sets?
ENGINO pays much attention to the manufacturing and distribution of ecological products. All products are environmentally friendly because they can be recycled. ENGINO offers solar products where the motor is powered by solar panel instead of batteries. We have also launched the award winning series of Eco Builds which is based on a new innovation of ENGINO toy system connecting sustainable beech wood with plastic parts. The use of wood reduces significantly the plastic parts and leads to more efficient recycling, making this product an environmental friendly solution.