Mission MARIJN: a case study on improving undergraduate aerospace engineering education

The TU Delft first-year aerospace engineering course, "Design and Construction," aims to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application through challenge-based learning. Involving 400 students across 40 teams, the course integrates concepts from mechanics, materials science, and engineering drawing into realistic design projects. The first project tasks students with designing a Rocker-Bogie suspension system for a Mars rover. To enhance student engagement and understanding, a complementary activity called Mission MARIJN was introduced in the 2023-2024 academic year. Mission MARIJN includes three immersive hands-on activities: a remote-controlled 1:4 scale model of the Perseverance rover, an educational exhibit on Martian terrain, and a virtual reality experience featuring previous Mars rovers. Grounded in instructional design principles such as guided inquiry and experiential learning, these activities deepen students' grasp of design requirements and mechanical systems. Survey results from participating students indicate positive learning outcomes, with particular success in the VR and rover modelling segments. This paper presents the design, implementation, and impact of Mission MARIJN as a replicable model for enhancing engineering education through interactive, context-driven learning experiences.