The purpose of the Success Institute is to encourage greater numbers of under-represented students of color to pursue studies leading to careers in engineering and technology. Students participate in multi-day workshops on the CU-Boulder campus, hopefully returning each summer of high school.

Through hands-on activities, students work in teams to solve engineering challenges and learn how engineering, math and science affect their everyday lives. One introductory activity is a global positioning system (GPS) scavenger hunt that orients students to campus, while using high-tech equipment. Students use laptop computers and prepare PowerPoint presentations that summarize their team project results.

The Department of Applied Math spends an evening with the 9th graders experiencing and discussing the importance of mathematics in all fields of engineering. The students work through and present a variety of Calculator Activities on the TI-83 Plus, where they learn to use a graphing calculator more effectively and comfortably. They take home their own TI-83 Plus graphing calculator at the end of the program. There is also a panel discussion for the 9th graders with several students in the Applied Mathematics department. 9th graders can ask the panel members about their background, their mathematical interests, what they use mathematics for, and how they overcame the difficult nature of the field.

Parents join students on the final day for information sessions and a final student presentation. Topics include financial aid, college preparation and academic survival.

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