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Grades 6–8

Online Mars Rover Transporter Project

Grades 6–84 hrs 30 minsNGSS aligned

Students design, build, test, and improve their own Mars rover in Qweebi's online Makerspace while learning forces, Newton's Second Law, and ground clearance.

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  • No supplies needed
  • No downloads or installs
  • Ready-to-run lessons
Model Mars rover pulling a cart of rock samples across Martian terrain

Works on Chromebooks, Windows, and Mac

Project Snapshot

  • Grade Level

    Grades 6–8

  • Duration

    4 hrs 30 mins

  • Teacher Prep

    Under 30 minutes

  • Career Connection

    Robotics Engineer

  • Core Concepts

    Forces, Newton's Second Law, Ground Clearance

  • Standards

    NGSS: MS-PS2, MS-ETS1

How This Project Works in Class

In 4.5 hours, students go from exploring a real Mars rover mission to planning, building, testing, and improving a rover that can carry rock samples across rough Martian terrain.

  1. 1

    Meet the Mars Rover Challenge

    The Hook · 10 min

    Students watch a real NASA Mars Sample Return mission video and preview the challenge of designing a rover that can carry rock samples across Martian terrain.

  2. 2

    Build and Learn About Your Rover

    Engineering & Science Bootcamp · 170 min

    Students learn to navigate Qweebi's Makerspace, gather supplies, glue and wire rover parts together, and explore the science behind how rovers move — including propeller propulsion, Newton's Second Law, and ground clearance.

    Screenshot of a Qweebi challenge teaching Newton's Second Law and ground clearance for Mars rover design
  3. 3

    Plan Your Mars Rover

    Final EDP Challenge · 45 min

    Students study the Martian terrain, identify design challenges, and use the Engineering Design Process to plan their rover's design.

    Screenshot of the Mars rover builder interface in Qweebi's online Makerspace
  4. 4

    Build, Test, and Share Your Rover

    Reflection · 45 min

    Students build their rover prototype in Qweebi, test and improve its performance, then record and submit a show-and-tell video explaining how it works.

    Screenshot of a student recording a show-and-tell video of their Mars rover in Qweebi

What Teacher Resources Are Included

Everything you need to prep, launch, and run the Mars Rover Transporter project with confidence.

  • Teacher Slides

    Ready-to-present Google Slides with built-in speaker notes.

  • Student Journals

    Google Docs journals where students record observations, explanations, and reflections.

  • Built-In Qweebi Challenges

    Interactive challenges build science intuition and prepare students for the final design challenge.

  • Step-by-Step Teacher Guide

    A clear guide walks you through how to launch and run your Qweebi project.

What Other Teachers Are Saying

More than 75 teachers have brought the Mars Rover Transporter project to their classrooms.

  • Fun and challenging
    "My students and I loved the Mars Rover unit! My 6th graders loved competing with each other as they built their rovers with a variety of virtual materials. It was the right balance of fun and challenging."
    Photo of Regina Nadbielny, STEM Teacher at Central Middle School, New Jersey

    Regina Nadbielny

    STEM Teacher

    Central Middle School

    New Jersey, USA

  • Space exploration
    "The Qweebi Mars Rover Project was a fantastic addition to our classroom's space exploration unit. It provided an engaging and comprehensive overview of Mars rovers' design and functionality."
    Photo of Kim Smith, STEM Teacher at Saint Raphael School, New Jersey

    Kim Smith

    STEM Teacher

    Saint Raphael School

    New Jersey, USA

  • Student creativity
    "They get to the Rover challenges and it's amazing what the students come up with. Students enjoyed recording their videos to show how their rover worked or didn't work."

    Elise Neill

    STEAM Teacher

    Cornell Elementary

    Pennsylvania, USA

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I try the Mars Rover Transporter project for free?
Yes. When you sign up for Qweebi, you can try 2 projects free, including the Mars Rover Transporter project, with unlimited classes and students.
What grade levels is this project best for?
Mars Rover Transporter is designed for grades 6–8. Students apply forces, Newton's Second Law, and ground clearance using the Engineering Design Process to design, test, and improve a rover that can complete a Mars mission.
How long does the project take?
The project takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes. Most teachers run it across five or six class periods, depending on their schedule.
Do I need any supplies or kits?
No. Students design, test, and improve their Mars rovers in Qweebi's online Makerspace, so there are no physical kits, materials, storage, or cleanup.
What devices does it work on?
Qweebi works on Chromebooks, Windows, and Mac computers with a web browser and internet connection. Nothing needs to be downloaded or installed.
Do I need an engineering or robotics background to teach this project?
No. The project includes ready-to-present teacher slides, student journals, built-in Qweebi challenges, and a step-by-step teacher guide to help you run it with confidence.

Ready to Run the Mars Rover Transporter Project With Your Students?

Try it free with your class — minimal prep, no supplies, and nothing to lose.

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