A new car for a keen daughter...

[Tony Griffiths]

Ideally a project not likely to be quickly finished. I get somewhat nervous about very precious young persons in particular motoring extensively in modern traffic in Sevens.
I find it incredible nowadays the lack of any practical skills in so many persons; middle aged to young, both sexes. I have just wasted hours talking a relative through replacement of a tap top, and of the valve disc in a mains pressure reducing valve. 
Far fewer learn skills  from employment. In an age when employment is seldom secure practical skills hugely extend scope. And any time between jobs can often be very usefully used around home. 
Now many girls persue engineering. The lack of practical nous among then all male students used to amaze me. Any  femal  with skills would be a real standout.

On the subject of 'how' rather than 'what'.
Just a thought. I had to interview lots of young people over the years in various roles under the umbrella of a high tech engineering firm. Exams are critical but they only tell half the story and it has become increasingly difficult to differentiate between 10 CVs (often starting with many more applicants sifted by HR) all with high exam grades, when you only have the time to interview 5. For me it then all came down to what else they had done.

Anyone who had volunteered, been involved in projects etc instantly moved to the next stage of consideration and likely interview.

So, irrespective of whether she sees a career in engineering (suggest do some research on STEM) or anything else, do carefully document and photograph what she achieves (am sure you are going to do that anyway), showing that it was her and not just her watching you. If you can turn it into a mini apprenticeship (without it all losing the fun for an 11 year old) with her achieving skills (her sheet metal bending badge etc) then that can only help her whatever route she takes in life. And if she is so inclined encourage her to record it diary/blog/vlog/ASFriends style. That might help maintain motivation over a project which will likely be relatively long for an 11 year old's attention span.

She is a lucky girl
Andy

I can confirm what Andy says: a young friend recently finished his Masters in engineering at Coventry University. During his four years (unlike other students) he worked part-time in local industry and learned how to scrape surfaces, operate a lathe, surface, and cylindrical grinders, planers, borers, etc., and on Saturdays helped out at a company rebuilding precision spindles. In his home workshop, he restored a number of machine tools including a Wade 8A, and EXE surface grinder (http://www.lathes.co.uk/exe-grinder/) and a Rivett watchmaker's lathe (http://www.lathes.co.uk/rivett-watchmakers/page4.html)
His first job application was at the Mercedes Formula 1 Company but, despite it already having been filled, so impressed was the company by his background, enthusiasm, skill set (and evidence of hands-on achievements) that invitation was extended to him for an interview - the result being a position created especially for him.