The MIT program now known as MITES (Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science) was established in 1974 as the MITE (Minority Introduction to Engineering) Program. The MITE program was created as part of a national effort sponsored by the then Engineers' Council for Professional Development. The objective of the program was to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in the engineering profession by exposing students to engineering during their high school years.

What started as a two-week residential summer program on the MIT campus with 37 students and a focus on career orientation has evolved into a six-week slice of academic life with 60-80 participants. Students now take courses in calculus, physics, biology/ biochemistry/ chemistry, humanities, genomics, programming, and engineering design. These high school juniors gain a better perspective about college and can take advantage of their senior year in high school to prepare for college and their professional careers.