"Using only pasta and glue, students must design a rover that will travel down a one-meter ramp and then travel an additional one meter on a smooth, flat surface. Students use the same engineering design process that JPL engineers use to improve their designs. The Mars rovers Spirit, Curiosity and Opportunity have collectively driven over 35 miles on Mars.. The engineers who plan the drives, called Rover Planners, must define their criteria for success. They must also take into consideration the constraints that may limit the rover’s ability to successfully complete a drive. What obstacles are in the way? Is there a slope along the way? Is it too steep for the rover to safely drive? Does the terrain change part way through the drive? Like Rover Planners, students in this activity will have to define what a successful drive will look like and identify the limiting factors they will face on their drive. *www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/activity/planetary-pasta-rover/