Students design a robotic insect for an extraterrestrial environment, then compare the process to how NASA engineers design robots for extreme environments like Mars.

Students will use the engineering design process to design, build, test and improve a model satellite intended to investigate the surface of a planet.

Students will design, build and test a crew exploration vehicle, or CEV, to carry astronauts to Mars – meeting size, mass and payload requirements.

Students work in teams employing an iterative design process to design and build a water filtration device using commonly available materials.

Students build a rubber-band-powered rover that can scramble across the room.

Using only pasta and glue, students design a rover that will travel down a one-meter ramp and then travel an additional one meter on a smooth, flat surface.

Students build a solar oven and learn about the importance of solar energy for establishing a lunar base.

Students construct balloon-powered rockets to launch the greatest payload possible to the classroom ceiling.

Student teams use the engineering design process and everyday materials to design an insulator that will keep a small amount of water from rapidly changing temperature.