Mars Rover Project

You are tasked to develop a space rover and an entry plan for the exploration of Mars

This term you are developing your understanding of jet propulsion, you are also developing your understanding of the solar system and the purpose of space exploration.

Achievement Objectives:

Science - Astronomical systems:

  • Investigate the components of the solar system, developing an appreciation of the distances between them.

Digital Technologies Curriculum - Computational Thinking:

  • In authentic contexts and taking account of end-users, students use their decomposition skills to break down simple non-computerised tasks into precise, unambiguous, step-by-step instructions (algorithmic thinking). They give these instructions, identify any errors in them as they are followed, and correct them (simple debugging).

Technology - Technological products:

  • Understand the relationship between the materials used and their performance properties in technological products.
Mars Rover Timetable 2018 T2

Task 1: The Egg Drop Experiment

Google Maps to Mars

Your egg represents the rover vehicle and the ‘drop’ represents the landing procedure for Mars for the rovers ‘Spirit’ and ‘Opportunity’

Work in groups of 4. You have newspaper and masking tape as your materials to develop a design that will safely land your ‘egg rover’ on Mars.


  • Create a plan
  • Predict what will happen (hypothesis)
  • Construct your design
  • Test your design - if you are successful, try from a different height
  • Record your results (digitally)

Egg drop reflection for Seesaw:

Was your design successful? Why or why not?

Google Earth - explore the Mars terrain

Task 2: Design, Build and Test a Rover

This task will take up to 3 sessions with the NXT kits

You task is to work in groups of 3 or 4

  • Create a plan for your Mars Rover that will work best for the environment
  • Construct your design
  • Use demo mode on the NXT brain to test your construction in the class space
  • Record your NXT Rover in the sandpit as a simulator for the Mars surface.

nxt building instructions and programmes


Task 3: Reflect on your learning

Rover reflection for Seesaw

How would you modify your rover design for exploring a planet that is...

1. covered in water

2. covered in ice

3. gas planet