THIRD SPACE YOUTH INSTITUTE
A high school student practices public speaking in front of an audience of his peers during the Third Space Youth Institute
An Interactive Learning Experience
From June 7th–July 2nd, 2021, the USC Annenberg Center for Third Space Thinking hosted a total of 180 migrant high school students for two two-week-long online programs at the Third Space Youth Institute. The Center partnered with the Los Angeles County Office of Education and Riverside County Office of Education to create two-week online programs for the children of migrant workers.
Students were introduced to the critical soft skills necessary to prepare them for a successful future: college readiness, career development, building presentation skills, and personal branding. Students learned from the experts, participated in interactive workshops, and worked together in teams to develop presentations on important issues like educational inequality and the significance of voting to the democratic process.
“Our program equips students with the essential soft skills needed to embrace new ideas, leverage diversity, build self-confidence and visualize success," said Shellee Smith. “We’re excited about educating migrant students and giving them a leading edge in their future endeavors.”
How to be an ace with ace-it
During the program, students were introduced to the Third Space ACE-IT methodology which is a communication tool used to frame and solve problems. ACE-IT stands for:
Adaptability
Cultural Competency
Empathy
Intellectual Curiosity
360 Degree Thinking
Many students noted the fundamentals of the ACE-IT methodology as a key takeaway:
"What I'm most excited to share about my experience is that I can use the ACE-IT method to tackle any situation." – Alexis Godinez, Antelope Valley High School.
Students listen and watch attentively as their peers present group projects at the 2019 Third Space Youth Institute (TSYI)
Our workshops
In addition to lessons covering our ACE-IT methodology, students also engaged in a variety of other workshops including:
Meeting with USC College Advisors
Personal Branding
Presentation Skills
Digital Storytelling
Careers in Media
Equipped with the knowledge and resources provided by Annenberg faculty, working professionals, and their own peers, these students have gained the tools to empower themselves to succeed in college and beyond by leveraging the Third Space soft skills in their lives and their communities.
“I know these students will go back to their communities and they will make change,” said Myra Sanchez, Director of Migrant Education in Riverside County. “I look forward to continuing this collaboration and exposing more students to this type of learning.”
WHAT PARTICIPANTS FROM 2019 TSYI ARE SAYING
Stay tuned. This is just the beginning of a new, exciting venture.
About The Center for Third Space Thinking
To learn more about the USC Annenberg Center for Third Space Thinking, click here.