The Summer Science Institute at Metropolitan State College of Denver offers urban middle school students the opportunity to explore science and math in a hands-on, team-oriented setting. For each two week session, students work with full-time college professors in a range of activities in meteorology, biology, chemistry, physics, geology, mathematics, computer science, and aviation. The activities are consistent with Colorado content standards.

The meteorology activities include taking observations of local weather, analyzing weather maps and decoding station models, and forecasting local and regional weather. Alternating hands-on measurements, hand analysis, and computer activities promotes sustained engagement during a series of student-centered lessons.