Mars Mission: STEM Coding Program for Schools & Councils
Mars Mission is a small-group coding program for ages 12–18. Book a 1-hour STEM incursion or multi-day holiday program for schools & councils.
Jack Harris
July 17, 2026
4 minutes to read
“It’s coding, disguised as an adventure.”
What Is Mars Mission?
Mars Mission is a small-group coding program for schools, councils and holiday program providers, built for young people aged 12 to 18. Mars Mission is Digital Skills Australia flagship STEM program for youths. Its a coding course set in an interactive space setting that makes programming genuinely engaging rather than another worksheet lesson.
Students take control of a Mars rover through a browser-based console. Writing real JavaScript to move it, read its telemetry, and collect samples. Every mission challenge introduces a real programming concept including variables, loops, conditionals, functions — through play rather than theory.
We belive small group education yields the best results. We keep groups small, with an educator guiding students through each challenge and enough one-on-one attention that no one gets stuck. That makes it well suited to a lunchtime or after-school coding club, or a council-run school holiday activity. The format flexes to the group, not the other way around.
Who can host Mars Mission?
Mars Mission is delivered exclusively by Digital Skills Australia — our educators run every session on our own console and curriculum. Schools, councils and holiday program providers simply host it.
Schools
Book Mars Mission as a school incursion, lunchtime club or after-school session. Our mentors deliver the full program on-site — you just provide the students and the room.
Councils, Churches & Holiday Programs
Book Mars Mission as a after-school or holiday program. Our team runs every session end-to-end, giving teens a structured coding activity with a real educational outcome.
Mars Mission is launching in Q3 2026
We’re rolling it out to a limited number of schools, councils and holiday program providers as we get started. To ensure the best flexibility around scheduling and format. To book Mars Mission for an upcoming incursion, holiday program or term, now’s the time to get in touch and lock in a spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do students need prior coding experience?
No. Mars Missions is built for beginners. No coding background, software installation is required. a computer or tablet will be required for each student, or pair of students, provided by the student or host.
What ages is Mars Mission suitable for?
Mars Mission is designed for teens aged 12 to 18, with challenges paced for both complete beginners and students ready for a deeper multi-day program.
Can Mars Mission be booked as a school incursion?
Yes. our 1-hour and half day programs are designed as plug-and-play school incursions, run on-site with the educators and experience provided by Digital Skills Australia.
Is Mars Mission suitable for after school and holiday programs?
Yes. Both 1-hour and half day programs are commonly booked by holiday program providers and councils as a structured education experience for youths.
What programming languages do students learn?
Students write real JavaScript to control their rover, satellite or rocket giving them a genuine, transferable introduction to the programming concepts used in professional software development.
Ready to bring Mars Mission to your program?
Enquire about running Mars Mission at your school, council or holiday program.
Enquire Now