We developed the MobiNet (free) platform and tutorial sessions (tested on 16 batches of high school students) with the aim of offering students a new way of learning and understanding academic scientific subjects. Our approach consists of letting the students manipulate mathematical and physical notions as tools in order to solve concrete tasks, such as a solar system simulation or a video game. This makes students formalize a realworld problem, experiment by trial-and-error (error no longer means punishment), and gain an insight into the effect of equations and parameters. To allow this, our platform graphically simulates a world of mobiles where appearance, behavior and interaction (possibly through a network) are defined and programmed by the users, relying on an intuitive graphics interface and a dedicated programming language. This approach provides a strong motivation to students, and strengthens their understanding of theoretical notions seen in class (which is especially important for fundamental concepts used later in the curriculum including other academic subjects). Moreover, given the concern of academics and politicians in France about students no longer opting for scientific curriculums, we point out that our approach is closer to the real practice of engineers and researchers than traditional academic teaching. This helps students to figure out why taught notions are useful and how they can be related to professional activities (which they might consider for their future). This project has been tested in the context of the EngineeringWeek organized by the Engineering school federation INPG (Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble).