Students decide what they want to learn from a robotic mission to Mars and what tools they will put on their robot to accomplish their goals.

Students decide what they want to learn from a robotic mission to Mars.

Students use satellite and rover images to learn about the various features and materials that cause color variation on the surface of Mars, then create their own “Marscape.”

Students design and test parachute landing systems to successfully land a probe on target.

Students design and build a solar hot water heater and see how big a temperature change they can get.

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

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

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 design and build a shock-absorbing system that will protect two "astronauts" when they land.