Computer Science Modules

YES Computer Science modules engage K-8 students in computational thinking by framing computer science through the authentic context of engineering design. Students experience how engineers use computational tools to increase efficiency and accuracy, using low-cost devices such as micro:bits, or free web-based tools such as Teachable Machine and MATLAB interactives from MathWorks. The modules encourage students to decompose and investigate algorithms to recognize their social context, benefits, and potential limitations.

Programming Robots to Recycle

Students use programming skills to clean up a park and keep trash out of the landfill.

Kindergarten Data & Analysis Algorithms & Programming

Engineering Plastic Filters: Photo Classification

Students train and test an online photo classification model to distinguish between photos of animals and photos of trash.

Upper Elementary Impacts of Computing Data & Analysis Algorithms & Programming

Engineering Safety Vests: Signal Bracelets

Students use MakeCode and micro:bits to design a signal bracelet that displays signals when activated by kinesthetic inputs.

Upper Elementary Impacts of Computing Algorithms & Programming

Engineering Eco-friendly Slippers: Step Counters

Students use a micro:bit's accelerometer and concepts such as loops, conditionals, and variables to develop a step counting algorithm in MakeCode.

Middle School Impacts of Computing Algorithms & Programming

Engineering Eco-friendly Slippers: User Reviews Analysis

Students train a computer to analyze slipper user reviews and investigate how adjusting the training data impacts the machine learning model's accuracy.

Middle School Impacts of Computing Data & Analysis

Engineering Landing Pads: Bounce Height Measurements

Students use a computer to collect precise data on how high a ping pong ball bounces on different landing materials.

Middle School Impacts of Computing Algorithms & Programming

Engineering Landing Pads: Delivery Notification Systems

Students design a delivery notification system to alert them when urgent items are delivered to a landing pad.

Middle School Algorithms & Programming

Engineering Medicine Coolers: Heatwave Visualizations

Students visualize heatwave data to identify who could benefit most from a medicine cooler.

Middle School Impacts of Computing Algorithms & Programming

Engineering Medicine Coolers: Medicine Cooler Alarms

Students write an algorithm for a micro:bit that continuously monitors temperature and sounds an alarm when a medicine cooler gets too warm.

Middle School Impacts of Computing Data & Analysis

Engineering Vision Extenders: Exoplanet Discoveries

Students explore how computer algorithms can be written to search Kepler Space Telescope data for evidence of exoplanets.

Middle School Impacts of Computing Algorithms & Programming

Engineering Vision Extenders: Light Sensors

Students use micro:bits and MakeCode to design and build a simple light sensor.

Middle School Impacts of Computing Algorithms & Programming

Coming Soon

Keep an eye out for these upcoming modules!

Engineering Earthquake-Resistant Buildings: Crowdsourced Disaster Data
Engineering Earthquake-Resistant Buildings: Early Warning Systems
Engineering Wearable Alert Systems: Electronic Timers
Engineering Wearable Alert Systems: Timer Algorithms

YES Computer Science Framework

Why include Computer Science Modules?

Students engaged in engineering benefit from learning when the use of a computer may enhance their engineered product, how to provide instructions to a computer, and how to understand the limitations of computational tools. The YES computer science framework describes why it is important for engineers and students to learn to think computationally.

View Framework