Computer Science Module Overview

This computer science module can be taught independently but is intended to be taught after the YES Middle School Engineering Landing Pads unit. 

Students learn how a computer can be used to measure how high a ping-pong ball bounces on different landing pad materials. Students discuss how the computer algorithm and investigation procedure must work together to collect reliable data.

  • Recommended for use with Engineering Landing Pads, grades 6–8
  • Setting: In school
  • Computer science connections: Algorithms and Programming; Impacts of Computing
  • 2 lessons
  • 45 minutes per lesson
  • Student materials available in Spanish
  • Computational tools used: MATLAB interactives (free and web-based)
  • Materials needed: Materials kits are not available for purchase for computer science modules

View all YES Computer Science modules.

Standards alignment

YES computer science modules align with state and national computer science standards. View Engineering Landing Pads and Bounce Height Measurements Alignment or all Standards Alignments.

Module Map

Students use a live script to apply a mask to images of bounce height measurement investigations. They apply what they learn to consider why the color of the objects used in the investigation matters.

Students use a sequence of paper frames to consider what data a computer could extract from a video. They use a live script to find the bounce height of a ping-pong ball dropped on various materials.

Our funders

Major support for this project has been provided by MathWorks.

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What’s Included?

  • Teacher Guide (PDF)
  • Teacher Slides (Google Slides)
  • Print Materials (PDF)