STEM: Mars Rover Project & Grant - Primary (2027 Intake)
Following the success of the recent partnership with the Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools, and a successful grant offering to over 150 schools since 2024, Immersive Education is once again pleased to invite applications for a STEM: Mars Rover Project Grant for our 2027 intake.
Previous applicants and/or participants from previous grants are eligible and encouraged to re-apply for 2027 to further support STEM implementation in their schools.
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The STEM: Mars Rover Project is suitable for students in Grades 5 & 6, and may be suitable as an extension task for those in Grades 3 & 4. Inspired by real-world Mars exploration missions, students take on the role of engineers and scientists as they design, build, test, and improve their own solar-powered Mars Rover.
Working collaboratively, students construct a Mars Rover prototype equipped with a solar panel and investigate how energy from the Sun can be transferred and converted into movement. Through practical experiments, students explore the relationship between energy, motion, and design while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Throughout the project, students conduct a range of scientific investigations to test and improve their Rover's performance. They measure and compare speed, velocity, and acceleration, collecting and analysing data to determine how different design features affect movement. Students explore how factors such as surface type, friction, weight distribution, wheel design, and energy input influence the Rover's ability to travel efficiently across simulated Martian terrain.
Students also investigate renewable energy by testing the output of their Rover's solar panel under different conditions. Using measuring equipment, they examine how light intensity impacts energy production and discuss how solar technology is used to power real spacecraft and planetary rovers.
The project provides opportunities for students to apply mathematical concepts in authentic contexts, including measurement, graphing, data analysis, rates, and problem-solving. Students use the engineering design process to continually refine and improve their Rover, encouraging creativity, resilience, and innovation.
The STEM: Mars Rover Project can be delivered as a classroom program, STEM enrichment activity, extension program, or integrated within Science, Mathematics, and Technologies units.
Working collaboratively, students construct a Mars Rover prototype equipped with a solar panel and investigate how energy from the Sun can be transferred and converted into movement. Through practical experiments, students explore the relationship between energy, motion, and design while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Throughout the project, students conduct a range of scientific investigations to test and improve their Rover's performance. They measure and compare speed, velocity, and acceleration, collecting and analysing data to determine how different design features affect movement. Students explore how factors such as surface type, friction, weight distribution, wheel design, and energy input influence the Rover's ability to travel efficiently across simulated Martian terrain.
Students also investigate renewable energy by testing the output of their Rover's solar panel under different conditions. Using measuring equipment, they examine how light intensity impacts energy production and discuss how solar technology is used to power real spacecraft and planetary rovers.
The project provides opportunities for students to apply mathematical concepts in authentic contexts, including measurement, graphing, data analysis, rates, and problem-solving. Students use the engineering design process to continually refine and improve their Rover, encouraging creativity, resilience, and innovation.
The STEM: Mars Rover Project can be delivered as a classroom program, STEM enrichment activity, extension program, or integrated within Science, Mathematics, and Technologies units.
The STEM: Mars Rover Project Grant assists schools to establish the program by subsidising the implementation costs and providing all necessary training and resources. The total project cost is $6,000 per school, with the grant contributing $3,000 towards the project. Participating schools are required to make a co-contribution of $3,000. The co-contribution includes:
• One face-to-face professional learning sessions for up to four teachers. This professional learning session will assist with the developing understanding of both the theoretical and curriculum links for the STEM: Mars Rover Project. The session will explore the practical implementation of the STEM: Mars Rover Project, with teachers provided with resources on the day to engage in the practical component. When combined with the theoretical components this will allow participants to get a first-hand feel for how the project can be delivered in their school context.
• Three live instructional professional learning webinars for teachers. This will assist with recapping both the theoretical and practical components of the course. • All required physical resources • 60 x Mars Rover Kits • 50 x Mini Mars Rover Kits • 2 x Energy Sticks • 6 x Digital Multimeters • Digital teacher and student supporting resources Professional Learning Dates: 1) Thursday 11 February 2027 - 9:00am to 4:00pm – Location TBC (Face-to-Face Session) [Session held within 30km radius of Melbourne CBD]2) Thursday 9 March 2027 - 4:00pm to 5:30pm - Optional Online Webinar - Theoretical Components Recap3) Thursday 23 March 2027 - 4:00pm to 5:30pm - Optional Online Webinar - Practical Components Recap4) Thursday 20 April 2027 - 4:00pm to 5:30pm - Optional Online Webinar - Extension Components
Who Should Attend? This professional learning is best attended by a team of staff from each school. Support is provided for up to four staff from each school. These staff could comprise:
• School Leaders & Learning Area Leaders• Classroom Teachers or Specialist Teachers• Classroom Support Staff
Applications for this grant will close 9:00am Friday 18 September 2026 (End of Term 3). Successful applicants will be informed by Friday 9 October 2026.
• Three live instructional professional learning webinars for teachers. This will assist with recapping both the theoretical and practical components of the course. • All required physical resources • 60 x Mars Rover Kits • 50 x Mini Mars Rover Kits • 2 x Energy Sticks • 6 x Digital Multimeters • Digital teacher and student supporting resources Professional Learning Dates: 1) Thursday 11 February 2027 - 9:00am to 4:00pm – Location TBC (Face-to-Face Session) [Session held within 30km radius of Melbourne CBD]2) Thursday 9 March 2027 - 4:00pm to 5:30pm - Optional Online Webinar - Theoretical Components Recap3) Thursday 23 March 2027 - 4:00pm to 5:30pm - Optional Online Webinar - Practical Components Recap4) Thursday 20 April 2027 - 4:00pm to 5:30pm - Optional Online Webinar - Extension Components
Who Should Attend? This professional learning is best attended by a team of staff from each school. Support is provided for up to four staff from each school. These staff could comprise:
• School Leaders & Learning Area Leaders• Classroom Teachers or Specialist Teachers• Classroom Support Staff
Applications for this grant will close 9:00am Friday 18 September 2026 (End of Term 3). Successful applicants will be informed by Friday 9 October 2026.