BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Forty-two student teams from 36 schools across the Space Coast gathered Wednesday to present their ideas and solutions for challenges astronauts may one day face while living and working on Mars.

It’s all part of the Brevard Schools Destination Mars Design Challenge, which was made possible by a $250,000 grant from Boeing.

“I think that's what's great about every generation coming in, because they get to re-look at stuff that maybe has been thought of before, but the technology hasn't caught up to it yet," said Doug Skinner, Boeing's director of systems integration. "But now, at this generation, the technology is there for these great ideas that weren't possible before, are now possible today." 

Assignments included missions requiring the students to solve problems using coding, circuits, robotics and engineering design. They were even challenged to be creative with the game Minecraft.

Organizers said the projects allowed students to use real-world problem-solving skills and collaboration.

“I enjoy making stuff. I enjoy the science, it’s cool," said Challenger 7 sixth grader Emma Leightucker. "We are the next generation that will be able to go to the moon, and it’s nice to do science, exploring and STEM.” 

The teams presented their findings before a panel of judges.

According to Brevard Public Schools, students spent the year getting ready for the competition in class and during after-school STEM clubs.