Engineering educators are often challenged to develop effective teaching materials that promote student enthusiasm and motivation, and integrate state-of-the-art technology into the undergraduate curriculum. In this article, the authors present their efforts at Rowan University, Glassboro, USA, towards achieving these objectives. A project was developed specifically to engage students in discovering engineering and science principles through designing a robotic aqua sensor named the Interactive Mobile Aqua Probe & Surveillance (IMAPS) system. The multidisciplinary nature of this project involves students and faculty from the fields of mechanical, electrical and computer engineering, as well as marine biology and ecology. It also gives students a systematic perspective and facilitates their vision of the greater context and application of their work.