These annual two-week professional development institutes provide the opportunity for MESA teachers of grades 8-12 to integrate science and math learning using technology as the cohesive ingredient between the two subject areas.

For instance, a recent Measurement, Data and Change institute used Texas Instruments TI-83+ graphing calculator and computer-based measuring tools (received by each participant) for data gathering, data analysis and curve fitting. Science teachers focused on physics experiments to explore distance-time-rate relationships as prescribed in the California Science Standards. Meanwhile, their math-teaching colleagues examined elementary functions of algebra and advanced algebra based on the California Math Standards to explore the same distance-time-rate relationships. Technology provided the common ground for communication/collaboration between the science and math teachers.

Institutes offer academic credit and stipends for each participating teacher. The activities are developed for use in the classroom, and the institutes include structured follow-up sessions.