In this challenge, students will program a rover to use a color sensor on several rock samples, allowing them to simulate how the Mars Curiosity rover uses it's ChemCam instrument to analyze light emitted from geological samples on Mars.

This board-game activity teaches students the process of design, engineering and technology for a mission to Mars.

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

In this standards-aligned unit, students learn about Mars, design a mission to explore the planet, build and test model spacecraft and components, and engage in scientific exploration.

In this cross-curricular STEM and language arts lesson, students learn about planets, stars and space missions and write STEM-inspired poetry to share their knowledge of or inspiration about these topics.

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

In this challenge, students will use a model robotic arm to move items from one location to another. They will engage in the engineering design process to design, build and operate the arm.

Students construct CD hovercraft as a lesson in Newton's laws of motion and friction -- plus an astronaut tie-in.

In this simple engineering design lesson, students turn a piece of paper into an aircraft wing and then try to improve upon their design.