0
Skip to Content
Vivify STEM
Schools
School Solutions
Request a Quote
K-8 Teacher Membership
Shop Resources
Start Here
STEM Classroom
5E Science
Summer & AfterSchool
Family Nights
Access Account
Terms of Use + FAQ
Teacher Support
Blog
Podcast
How to Teach STEM
STEM Recommendations
Swag
Career Chats
Membership
Join
Member Home
Free Videos
Explorer Library
All-Access Lesson Library
Professional Development
About
Our Story
Meet the Team
Our Partners
Vivify in the News
Research & Publications
Contact Us
Free Resource Library
Vivify STEM
Schools
School Solutions
Request a Quote
K-8 Teacher Membership
Shop Resources
Start Here
STEM Classroom
5E Science
Summer & AfterSchool
Family Nights
Access Account
Terms of Use + FAQ
Teacher Support
Blog
Podcast
How to Teach STEM
STEM Recommendations
Swag
Career Chats
Membership
Join
Member Home
Free Videos
Explorer Library
All-Access Lesson Library
Professional Development
About
Our Story
Meet the Team
Our Partners
Vivify in the News
Research & Publications
Contact Us
Free Resource Library
Folder: Schools
Back
School Solutions
Request a Quote
K-8 Teacher Membership
Folder: Shop Resources
Back
Start Here
STEM Classroom
5E Science
Summer & AfterSchool
Family Nights
Access Account
Terms of Use + FAQ
Folder: Teacher Support
Back
Blog
Podcast
How to Teach STEM
STEM Recommendations
Swag
Career Chats
Folder: Membership
Back
Join
Member Home
Free Videos
Explorer Library
All-Access Lesson Library
Professional Development
Folder: About
Back
Our Story
Meet the Team
Our Partners
Vivify in the News
Research & Publications
Contact Us
Free Resource Library
Shop Mars Rubber Band Rover Engineering Design Challenge - STEM Activity
Mars Rubber Band Rover Product Cover & Preview(3).png Image 1 of 4
Mars Rubber Band Rover Product Cover & Preview(3).png
Mars Rubber Band Rover Product Cover & Preview(2).png Image 2 of 4
Mars Rubber Band Rover Product Cover & Preview(2).png
Mars Rubber Band Rover Product Cover & Preview(1).png Image 3 of 4
Mars Rubber Band Rover Product Cover & Preview(1).png
Mars Rubber Band Rover Product Cover & Preview.png Image 4 of 4
Mars Rubber Band Rover Product Cover & Preview.png
Mars Rubber Band Rover Product Cover & Preview(3).png
Mars Rubber Band Rover Product Cover & Preview(2).png
Mars Rubber Band Rover Product Cover & Preview(1).png
Mars Rubber Band Rover Product Cover & Preview.png

Mars Rubber Band Rover Engineering Design Challenge - STEM Activity

$5.75

Students will first learn about mechanical engineering and potential and kinetic energy before designing and making a rover powered by the rubber band’s energy to explore the surface of Mars.

Grades: 5th - 8th

Teaching Duration: 2 weeks

Add To Cart

Students will first learn about mechanical engineering and potential and kinetic energy before designing and making a rover powered by the rubber band’s energy to explore the surface of Mars.

Grades: 5th - 8th

Teaching Duration: 2 weeks

Students will first learn about mechanical engineering and potential and kinetic energy before designing and making a rover powered by the rubber band’s energy to explore the surface of Mars.

Grades: 5th - 8th

Teaching Duration: 2 weeks

“I work with students with emotional and behavioral disabilities and the more interactive I can make a lesson, the more successful it will be. Thanks so much for your hard work! ”
— Jennifer McKay
purchase on tpt

lesson overview

Rubber Band Mars Rover STEM Challenge:
Students will first learn about mechanical engineering and potential and kinetic energy before designing and making a rover powered by the rubber band’s energy to explore the surface of Mars. This is a great space-themed STEM engineering design challenge.

Activity Overview: You are part of an astronaut crew on a scientific expedition on Mars! While out exploring the surface, we identified large Martian rocks that may give clues of ancient life on the red planet. The rocks are large and heavy, and our mission is to find a way to transport the samples back to base for testing. We will need to design a self-propelled vehicle using elastic potential energy stored in rubber bands! 

Real-world STEM Connection:

  • Overview of NASA's Mission to Mars

  • Elastic potential energy and kinetic energy

  • Career Connection: NASA engineers and scientists working at JPL

As with many STEM activities, this challenge can be tailored to students of various skill levels and abilities.

Included in this product:

  • Detailed teachers guide with links to resources

  • Editable teacher companion presentation slides

  • Photos and videos of student examples

  • Student handouts to guide them through the design process

  • Videos to motivate and support learning

  • Editable Google Slides STEM journal for distance learning

  • STEM Career Connections and real-world examples

  • Science handouts

  • Student recording sheet for each step of the process

Suggested Materials: Many different materials can be used for this challenge. Here are some suggestions that worked well for our students.

  • Craft sticks

  • Craft cubes

  • Rubber bands

  • Rubber bands

  • Zip ties

  • Straws

  • Wheels (Wheel & Axle set)

  • Wooden dowels

  • Hot glue gun or Elmer’s glue

  • Masking tape

  • Scissors

  • Cup

****************************************

Looking for more STEM lessons? Find the Vivify resource guide here: bit.ly/VivifyResourceGuide

Need to pay with invoice? Contact us here.

back to shop

You Might Also Like

Astronaut Boot STEM Challenge (K-5) Astronaut boot_ elementary_square cover(1).png Astronaut boot_ elementary_square cover(2).png Astronaut boot_ elementary_square cover(3).png
Astronaut Boot STEM Challenge (K-5)
$3.25
Distance Learning Bundle: Plants in Space STEM Activity (Middle School) Editable Digital STEM Journals - Plants in Space.png Editable Take-Home Printed STEM Journals - Plants in Space.png Instructional STEM Video - Plants in Space.png
Distance Learning Bundle: Plants in Space STEM Activity (Middle School)
$8.25
Orbital Mission 1.png Orbital Mission 1.png Orbital Mission 1.png Orbital Mission 1.png
Orbital Mission: Space-Themed STEM Unit for the Classroom (Middle School STEM)
$45.00
Space Capsule Heat Shield: Engineering Design Unit 2 Space Capsule Heat Shield Challenge Stage 2 teacher guide.png 3 Space Capsule Heat Shield Challenge Stage 2 unit.png 4 Space Capsule Heat Shield Challenge Stage 2 student handouts (2).png Explore Mars preview pages.png Explore Mars preview pages.png Explore Mars preview pages.png Explore Mars preview pages.png Explore Mars preview pages.png
Space Capsule Heat Shield: Engineering Design Unit
$5.75
STEM Heavy Lift Rocket Challenge (Falcon Heavy) Heavy-Lift Straw or Stomp Rocket Product Cover & Preview (Emily)(2).png Heavy-Lift Straw or Stomp Rocket Product Cover & Preview (Emily)(1).png Heavy-Lift Straw or Stomp Rocket Product Cover & Preview (Emily).png
STEM Heavy Lift Rocket Challenge (Falcon Heavy)
$3.50

Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive freebies, STEM tips, and the latest updates.

Thank you for joining Vivify STEM’s Newsletter!

© 2014-2025 Vivify LLC Privacy Policy , Terms & Conditions

↑ Back to Top