Engino Discovering STEM Mechanics: Wheels, Axles & Inclined Planes Set – Construction Toys for Kids Ages 9+ (14 Models to Build)

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SKU: STEM02

 

Build 14 working models that demonstrate real simple machines in action: wheels & axles, inclined planes, and wedges.

Learn with a structured booklet featuring theory, hands-on experiments, quizzes, and printed instructions, guiding young learners to explore concepts, test them, and check understanding.

Master concepts like mechanical advantage, friction (static vs kinetic), slope/force trade-offs, levers (wheel-as-lever), and axle-as-pulley then apply them in real builds.

Specifications

9+

Appropriate
Ages

134

Pieces

14

Models to
Build

1

Printed
Instructions

14

Online 3D
Instructions

Case Pack Details

Description

The Engino Discovering STEM Mechanics: Wheels, Axles & Inclined Planes set reveals why wheels need axles, how slope reduces lifting force, and how wedges split and secure materials. Start with clear theory on wheel/axle types, lever classes, torque, friction, and inclined-plane geometry. Move into experiments that compare big vs small wheels, thin vs thick axles, and gentle vs steep ramps to feel mechanical advantage firsthand. Build models that act like first- and third-class levers, use axles as pulleys, and convert a plane into a wedge. Follow printed steps for a starter model, then switch to interactive 3D instructions via Engino’s kidCAD (3D Viewer) to rotate/zoom every step. Finish with a quiz to reinforce core ideas. All together, it’s a tight learn-build-test loop that cements real physics, minus the guesswork!

What’s in the Box & Why It Matters

  • 134 Engino parts to build 14 models (one at a time) to test force, distance, and motion across different mechanisms.
  • Learning booklet filled with physics theories, experiments, quizzes, and printed instructions. Move from building → testing → reflection. 
  • Printed instructions for 1 model + 14 online kidCAD (3D Viewer) builds to rotate/zoom/explode views for easier assembly. 
  • Double-action extraction tool that enables quick & easy disassembly of small parts helping to iterate-and-improve builds.

Models Kids Can Build

  • Launching Platform: Elevate a car, then release and observe how slope influences speed and required effort.
  • Wheels door with Knob: See the wheel-and-axle act as a first-class lever; feel how a larger “wheel” reduces input force.
  • Well (Winch): Wrap a rope around axles of different thickness to compare effort vs number of turns (axle-as-pulley).
  • Airport Staircase: Measure height, length, and slope to link gentler inclines with lower force (but longer distance).
  • Experimental Ramp: Systematically vary ramp length/steepness and load to feel mechanical advantage trade-offs.
  • Splitting Wedge: Convert a plane into a wedge and see how a small input creates 2 large lateral forces.
  • Steering Motorbike: Explore turning and friction; compare handling with/without proper steering input.
  • Field Tractor: Test large rear vs small front wheels to understand radius, traction, and mechanical advantage.
  • Tow Truck: Combine an inclined plane and pulleys to lift loads efficiently.
  • Wheels Turning Car: Experiment with wheel/axle of free rotation and steering behavior.
  • Cart: Build a two-wheel cart to test how wheel diameter vs. axle diameter changes mechanical advantage; load it and feel how larger wheels and thinner axles reduce the effort needed over distance.
  • Chisel: Assemble a wedge-tool and apply force by hand or with a tap to see one downward push split into two lateral forces; then relate cutting power to geometry by estimating mechanical advantage as length ÷ thickness.
  • Experimental Car: Use this simple wheeled chassis to run controlled tests: swap big/small wheels and try different ramp surfaces, recording the minimum elevation needed to roll and linking wheel radius and friction to motion.
  • Wheels Launching Platform: Crank up the elevating ramp until the car just starts to move, then compare heights across wheel sizes and surfaces to visualize how slope angle and friction trade off against the effort required.

Who It’s For

  • Curious kids (ages 9+) who love to build, disassemble, and ask “but why?”
  • Parents & grandparents who want meaningful gifts with lasting value; hands-on tinkering, together or independently.
  • Teachers & homeschoolers seeking ready-to-use STEM kits that bring science and engineering concepts to life.
  • STEM clubs & after-school programs looking for engaging projects that inspire collaboration and creativity.
  • Science fairs where students need high-quality models to demonstrate real-world engineering principles.

Learning Benefits

  • Mechanical Advantage, Demystified: Compare wheel vs axle radii and slope angles to see how designs reduce effort.
  • Friction Fundamentals: Feel static vs kinetic friction, test surfaces, and discuss the coefficient of friction.
  • Levers in Disguise: Use the wheel-and-axle as first- and third-class levers; relate moment/torque to real movement.
  • Axle as Pulley: Thin vs thick axles change turns, speed, and effort, linking rotation to linear lift.
  • From Plane to Wedge: Convert an inclined plane into a wedge and calculate why slender wedges multiply force.

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.

View full details

Construction Levels

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Building

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.

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Mechanics

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!

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Motors

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.

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Coding

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.

Learning Levels

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Theory

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.

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Quiz & Activities

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!

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Experiments

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.

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Open Projects

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!

STEM SCORE

Build future-ready skills with hands-on STEM learning

  • Cognitive Skills

    Enhance mental processes including attention, memory, and reasoning through engaging activities that challenge and develop thinking capabilities.

  • Problem-Solving Thinking

    Learn to identify, analyze, and solve complex problems using systematic approaches and innovative solutions.

  • Engineering Thinking

    Develop the ability to design, build, and optimize systems while understanding how things work and how to improve them.

  • Scientific Investigation

    Master the scientific method through observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and evidence-based conclusions.

  • Computational Thinking & ICT

    Break down complex problems into manageable parts and develop algorithmic thinking alongside digital literacy skills.

  • 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

Based on 20 reviews
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(19)
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S
Susan

Gift for my grandson. He hasn't had a chance yet
to start playing with it butt was excited about it!

A
Amazon Customer

Our grandson has had many hours of enjoyment from these STEM projects. With his activities so limited due to the Corona Virus, this has been a wonderful and challenging diversion.

H
Hayk

Perfect gift for children who like DIY. Excellent quality.

Y
Yvonne

My grandson loves legos but this year I wanted to get him something that is educational and has moving parts. He loved this and was great watching him assemble it.

D
Dean and Martha

My mechanically inclined 12 yr old loves it. He's built some of the suggested items, but I'm sure he'll come up with his own as well.

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 hand’s on activities. It also extends to cover other important science subjects such as structures, bridges, Newton’s 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.