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.

unit 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.

  • 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

Standards Alignment

YES units align with state and national science standards, integrating seamlessly with popular elementary science curricula.

View Module Standards View All Standards

unit Resources

Digital Resources (FREE)

YES provides these materials free of charge! Use the link below to download resources from our Google Drive.

Download Resources

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.