Computer Science
Engineering Vision Extenders: Exoplanet Discoveries
Middle School
Impacts of Computing
Algorithms & Programming
In Classrooms
Students explore how computer algorithms can be written to search Kepler Space Telescope data for evidence of exoplanets.
Module Overview
Students consider how computers can help scientists search space telescope data for exoplanets. After learning to recognize patterns in light curves that indicate a possible exoplanet, students realize that patterns they can readily identify need to be described explicitly to a computer.
- Teach this module after Engineering Vision Extenders
- 2 lessons
- 40–45 minutes per lesson
- Student materials available in Spanish
- Computational tools used: MATLAB Live Scripts (free web-based application)
- Computer science modules require a short list of materials not included in a kit
Standards Alignment
YES units align with state and national science standards, integrating seamlessly with popular elementary science curricula.
Module Resources
Digital Resources (FREE)
YES provides these materials free of charge! Use the link below to download resources from our Google Drive.
Download ResourcesModule Map
Students use a decision tree to categorize objects in space, then observe a simulated star-exoplanet system and create a light curve for it. Students learn that a single exoplanet orbiting a star will produce a repeating pattern in the light curve of the star.
Students identify general features in light curve data that can be used to distinguish between stars with exoplanets and stars without. They translate this into an algorithm for a computer. Students realize the importance of clarity and generalizability.
Our funders
Major support for this project has been provided by MathWorks.