Computer Science Module Overview

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

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.

  • Recommended for use with Engineering Vision Extenders, grades 6–8
  • Setting: In school
  • Computer science connections: Algorithms and Programming; Impacts of Computing
  • 2 lessons
  • 40–45 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 Vision Extenders and Exoplanet Discoveries Alignment or all Standards Alignments.

Module 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.

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What’s Included?

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