Biography
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mark Rober |
| Date of Birth | March 11, 1980 |
| Age | 44 years (as of 2024) |
| Place of Birth | Brea, California, USA |
| Profession | YouTuber, Engineer, Inventor, Educator |
| Known For | YouTube science and DIY videos, CrunchLabs, NASA Curiosity Rover |
| Education | – Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering (BYU, 2004) – Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering (USC, 2014) |
Family
| Relation | Details |
|---|---|
| Children | 1 son (autistic, for whom he advocates awareness) |
| Marital Status | Divorced (since approximately 2020) |
Physical Measurements
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Height | Approx. 6’0” |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
Education
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Brigham Young University (BS, Mechanical Engineering, 2004) |
| Postgraduate | University of Southern California (MS, Mechanical Engineering, 2014) |
Career
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| NASA Career | Worked at Jet Propulsion Laboratory for 9 years; contributed to the Curiosity Rover project |
| Apple Inc. | Product designer in the Special Projects Group (2015–2020) |
| YouTube Start | Began posting videos in 2011; first viral video featured a “see-through torso” Halloween costume |
| Signature Content | Science experiments, DIY projects, glitter bomb anti-theft devices, squirrel mazes |
| Notable Projects | – #TeamTrees: Co-founded with MrBeast, raised $20M to plant 20M trees – #TeamSeas: Raised $34M to remove trash from oceans |
| Current Role | Founder of CrunchLabs, a STEM educational company |
Money Factor
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | Estimated to be in the multi-million-dollar range |
| Revenue Sources | YouTube AdSense, CrunchLabs, partnerships, brand deals |
Mark Rober: The Engineer Who Makes Science Fun
Mark Rober is an American engineer, inventor, educator, and YouTube star who has inspired millions of people, especially kids, to love science and engineering. His fun and creative projects have made learning exciting and accessible for all ages. From working on Mars rovers at NASA to building glitter bombs and squirrel obstacle courses, Mark’s journey is as inspiring as it is entertaining.
Early Life and Education
Mark Rober was born on March 11, 1980, in Orange County, California. As a child, Mark loved tinkering with toys and solving puzzles. His curiosity about how things work made him interested in science and engineering from a young age.
- Education:
Mark earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University (BYU). Later, he went on to complete his Master’s degree at the University of Southern California. His strong educational background laid the foundation for his remarkable career in engineering.
Career at NASA (2004–2013)
Mark started his professional career at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in 2004. He spent nine years working on some of the most exciting space exploration projects. His work included designing hardware and software for the Mars Curiosity rover, which landed on Mars in 2012.
Highlights of Mark’s NASA Career:
- He developed systems for navigation and data collection.
- Contributed to the successful landing of the Curiosity rover on Mars in August 2012.
- Filed multiple patents related to virtual reality systems for controlling spacecraft and other robotic systems.
Although Mark loved working at NASA, he realized he wanted to share his passion for science with a wider audience. This led him to explore new ways of communicating science, eventually leading to YouTube
The Start of His YouTube Journey (2011)
Mark’s YouTube journey began as a fun side project while he was still at NASA. In 2011, he uploaded his first video, featuring a creative Halloween costume that used two iPads to create an optical illusion of a hole in his body. The video went viral, gaining over 1.5 million views in just one day.
Why He Started YouTube:
- Mark wanted to make science more fun and approachable.
- He realized that YouTube could help him reach millions of people who might otherwise think science is boring or difficult.
Leaving NASA and Joining YouTube Full-Time (2013)
In 2013, Mark decided to leave his job at NASA to focus on creating content that would inspire and educate people about science. His goal was simple: make science and engineering fun, exciting, and accessible to everyone.
Year-by-Year Progress
2011–2013: Early YouTube Success
- Viral Halloween costume video (2011).
- Mark experimented with content, uploading videos about DIY projects and fun science experiments.
- By 2013, he had gained a loyal following and decided to go full-time on YouTube.
2014–2016: Growth and Experiments
- Created videos that simplified complex scientific concepts, such as how sharks detect blood and the physics of snowflakes.
- His channel grew steadily as people appreciated his creative approach to teaching.
2017: Breakthrough Year
- Published a viral video about “World’s Largest Jello Pool,” which attracted millions of views.
- His subscriber count crossed 1 million, marking his rise as a major YouTube influencer.
2018: The Glitter Bomb Saga
- Mark created his first “Glitter Bomb” to catch porch pirates (people who steal packages). The video went viral, receiving over 50 million views.
- This became one of his most popular series, with updated versions released in subsequent years.
2019: Team Trees and Community Impact
- Mark joined forces with YouTuber MrBeast to launch #TeamTrees, a campaign to plant 20 million trees by 2020.
- The campaign raised over $23 million and showcased Mark’s dedication to environmental causes.
2020: Creative Squirrel Obstacle Course
- Mark’s “Squirrel Maze” video, where he built an obstacle course for squirrels to reach a bird feeder, became one of his most-watched videos.
- By the end of 2020, his channel had over 10 million subscribers.
2021: Advocacy for Autism Awareness
- Mark revealed that his son is autistic and created a video to raise awareness and understanding about autism.
- He hosted a live-stream event with Jimmy Kimmel, raising over $3 million for autism support organizations.
2022: CrunchLabs
- Mark founded CrunchLabs, a company that sends science and engineering kits to kids. Each kit includes fun projects to build, helping kids learn STEM skills while having fun.
- CrunchLabs became an extension of Mark’s mission to inspire curiosity and creativity in young minds.
2023–2024: Space Selfie Project
- Announced a partnership with Google and T-Mobile to launch a satellite that lets users take selfies with Earth in the background.
- Scheduled for launch in January 2025, this innovative project reflects Mark’s passion for blending science and public engagement.
Notable Achievements
World Records
- Mark has broken several records through his creative engineering projects, such as:
- Building the world’s largest Nerf gun.
- Designing the world’s longest Hot Wheels track.
Awards and Recognition
- Named STEM Personality of the Year by the Institution of Engineering and Technology in 2021.
- Delivered the commencement address at MIT in 2023.
- Recognized as one of the most influential science communicators on YouTube.
What Makes Mark Rober Special?
Mark Rober’s success isn’t just about his technical skills—it’s also about his ability to connect with people. His videos make science fun, creative, and approachable. Whether he’s explaining the physics of liquid sand or pranking thieves with glitter bombs, Mark’s enthusiasm for science is contagious.
Key Traits:
- Creativity: He finds unique and entertaining ways to teach science.
- Simplicity: He breaks down complex topics so everyone can understand them.
- Inspiration: His projects encourage people to be curious and experiment.
Mark’s Impact on Kids and Education
Mark’s biggest fans are kids aged 8–15, who find his videos both educational and entertaining. Through his company CrunchLabs, Mark has created a hands-on way for kids to learn engineering and problem-solving skills. His work inspires kids to believe they can be inventors, scientists, and engineers.
Fun Facts About Mark Rober
- He has over 59 million subscribers on YouTube.
- His most popular video, “Squirrel Maze 2.0,” has over 100 million views.
- He worked at Apple after leaving NASA, designing products for the company’s Special Projects Group.
- He’s a huge fan of creative pranks, like the glitter bomb and fake spills.
Conclusion
Mark Rober’s journey from NASA engineer to YouTube superstar shows that science doesn’t have to be boring. His creative videos and projects have brought science to life for millions of people worldwide. Whether it’s through his YouTube channel, CrunchLabs, or groundbreaking projects, Mark continues to inspire curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning.
So, if you’re someone who loves to build, experiment, or simply learn how things work, Mark Rober is proof that science can be the most fun thing in the world!
FAQs About Mark Rober
1. Who is Mark Rober?
Mark Rober is an engineer, inventor, educator, and YouTuber known for his creative and fun science videos. He previously worked at NASA on the Curiosity rover and later at Apple before becoming a full-time content creator.
2. What is Mark Rober famous for?
Mark is famous for his YouTube channel, where he shares engaging science experiments, DIY projects, and creative inventions like glitter bombs for package thieves and squirrel obstacle courses.
3. Where did Mark Rober work before YouTube?
Mark worked at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for nine years, contributing to projects like the Mars Curiosity rover. After NASA, he joined Apple’s Special Projects Group, working on cutting-edge designs for self-driving cars.
4. When did Mark Rober start his YouTube channel?
Mark started his YouTube channel in 2011, with his first viral video featuring a Halloween costume that used iPads to create an optical illusion of a “hole” in his body.
5. What is CrunchLabs?
CrunchLabs is a company founded by Mark Rober in 2022. It provides monthly STEM kits for kids, encouraging hands-on learning through fun engineering projects.
6. What are Mark Rober’s most popular YouTube videos?
Some of Mark’s most popular videos include:
- “Squirrel Maze” series – where he builds intricate obstacle courses for squirrels.
- Glitter Bomb series – designed to prank package thieves.
- World’s Largest Jello Pool – showcasing a pool filled with Jello.
7. How many subscribers does Mark Rober have?
As of now, Mark’s YouTube channel has over 59 million subscribers.
8. What awards has Mark Rober won?
Mark has been recognized as STEM Personality of the Year in 2021 by the Institution of Engineering and Technology. He also delivered the 2023 commencement speech at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
9. Does Mark Rober support any causes?
Yes! Mark is a strong advocate for autism awareness. Inspired by his autistic son, he raised over $3 million in 2021 for autism support through a live-stream event with Jimmy Kimmel.
10. What is Mark Rober’s Space Selfie project?
In 2024, Mark partnered with Google and T-Mobile to create a satellite that allows users to take selfies with Earth as the backdrop. The project is set to launch in January 2025.
11. What are some fun facts about Mark Rober?
- He holds several patents, including ones for NASA and Apple.
- He built the world’s largest Nerf gun and longest Hot Wheels track.
- He often collaborates with other popular YouTubers like MrBeast.
12. How does Mark Rober make science fun?
Mark uses humor, creative experiments, and easy-to-understand explanations to make science enjoyable for everyone, especially kids. His videos mix entertainment with education, inspiring curiosity and innovation.
13. Where can I buy Mark Rober’s CrunchLabs kits?
You can subscribe to CrunchLabs kits on the official CrunchLabs website. The kits include fun STEM projects delivered monthly.
14. What is Mark Rober’s educational background?
Mark has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University (BYU) and a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southern California (USC).
15. How can I watch Mark Rober’s videos?
You can find Mark Rober’s videos on his YouTube channel, which is accessible for free. Just search for “Mark Rober” on YouTube!