We created a curricular model used to inform the development of a data-driven, citizen science-based activity to teach undergraduate, introductory astronomy students about the transit method of exoplanet detection. The activity was pilot tested with 1099 students during the 2020-2021 academic year. An analysis of student survey results indicated that after engaging with our activity, students’ self-efficacy improved on survey items that assessed their beliefs regarding their ability to make meaningful contributions to scientific research, and their confidence using data representations to answer an array of scientific questions.