Your passion and dedication are invaluable. Together, we look forward to continuing to build the future of learning for many years to come.

We hope that your time at the conference leaves you not only feeling energized but also equipped with fresh perspectives, new collaborations, and innovative strategies that you can apply to your work. Keep the conversations going by following SXSW EDU on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok, and use #SXSWEDU to stay connected with your community of peers, thought leaders, and innovators.

Rewatch Inspiring Moments

Missed a session or want to relive your favorite moments? Keynote and Featured Sessions from SXSW EDU 2026 are now available on demand.

Stay tuned for audio recordings of many of our inspiring sessions, coming soon. 

Watch Now

Join Us in 2027

We’re already thinking about how we can continue to shape education in 2027! Lock in your SXSW EDU 2027 badge at the lowest available rate with the limited presale, now through 11:59pm PT on Tuesday, March 31.

We hope to see you back in Austin next March for another four impactful days of the SXSW EDU Conference & Festival! Look out for the 2027 event dates announcement in April 2026.

Register Today

Help Shape Future Events

Be on the lookout for our post-event survey, coming to your inbox next week. Your feedback helps us continue to improve. This event is built for you, and we're always looking for ways to make next year even better. Email [email protected] to make sure you’re on the list!

Photo by Tico Mendoza

The post Thanks For Joining Us at SXSW EDU 2026 appeared first on SXSW EDU.

As a part of Crossover Day, you’ll see an incredible lineup of programming from SXSW EDU and SXSW Innovation Conference, including an inspiring Keynote from Jennifer B. Wallace, and four amazing Featured Sessions co-programmed by SXSW EDU and SXSW. Explore more exciting programming:

• 10:00am — Media That Matters: Nuclear Weapons & the Next Generation
• 11:30am — Podcast: The Learning Geeks: How to Think When Machines Think Faster
• 2:30pm — Glowing Brains & Robosuits: Terminating the AI Cliché
• 4:00pm — Building AI Pathways for HBCU Talent & Community Impact

You won’t want to miss energizing SXSW Music Festival showcases, including the Rolling Stone Future of Music featuring Lola Young tonight:

• 5:00pm-12:00am — SXSW Music Showcase: All The Vibes
• 7:00pm-12:00am — SXSW Music Showcase: The Spanish Wave
• 7:30pm-12:30am — SXSW Music Showcase: The Smoke Out ATX
• 8:30pm-2:00am — SXSW Music Showcase: Rimas

Check out select SXSW Film & TV Festival screenings that you’ve never been able to see before. 

• 3:00pm — SXSW Film U.S. Premiere: Mile End Kicks
• 3:30pm — SXSW Film World Premiere: Perfect
• 6:30pm — SXSW Film World Premiere: Seekers of Infinite Love
• 9:00pm — SXSW Film World Premiere: Margo's Got Money Troubles

Plus, get ready to be amazed at the Texas High School Student Shorts program, now at SXSW EDU for the first time. Make sure you know when to get into lines as a walk-up badgeholder.

Be sure to also check out the International Innovations Expo from 9:00am-4:00pm at the Manchester Ballroom in the Fairmont. 

End the day with fun social events to celebrate the end of an amazing four years.

• 11:00am-7:00pm — Congress Avenue Block Party
• 5:00pm-7:00pm — Crossover Day Mixer, presented by Imaginable Futures
• 7:00pm-10:00pm — SXSW EDU 2026 Beats & BBQ Social

We can’t wait to end the day together!

Photos by Chris Saucedo, Tico Mendoza, Amanda Stronza

The post Welcome to Day 4 of SXSW EDU and a Brand New Crossover Day appeared first on SXSW EDU.

SXSW EDU is where educators, policymakers, and industry leaders convene for inspiration, connection, and unexpected discoveries. With next year's event already on our minds, we don’t want you to miss the opportunity to join us at SXSW EDU 2027. Take advantage of this special limited presale offer and purchase a badge at the lowest available price. Plus, you will receive advanced access to hotel bookings.

Join your community for four days in March 2027 in Austin, Texas to build your network, discover new ideas, gain inspiration, elevate your practice, and so much more. Dates will be announced in April 2026.

Don’t miss out on the excitement next year! The SXSW EDU 2027 presale ends 11:59pm PT on Tuesday, March 31.

Purchase Your 2027 Badge

Photo By Stephen Olker

The post Take Advantage of the Limited Presale Through March 31 appeared first on SXSW EDU.

Immunova AI

Singapore

Immunova is developing a non-profit open-source AI platform that integrates medical scans, genetic data and patient records to support early detection and diagnosis across 35 cancers. Designed holistically, ethically and sustainably, our three-module suite predicts immunotherapy outcomes, guides treatment decisions and enhances overall diagnostic accuracy. Immunova aims to save lives, reduce treatment costs and minimise the carbon footprint of cancer care by reducing unfit treatments.

The Student Impact Challenge shines a spotlight on youth leaders who are driving meaningful change in their communities through innovative projects and solutions. It offers high school students the opportunity to showcase their work, strengthen and validate their ideas, and gain real-world experience as changemakers. This year, six exceptional teams of youth changemakers were selected as finalists:

Finalists

• Futr (Mars, PA)
• H2Know (Lafayette, CO)
• Immunova AI (Singapore)
• Pathways to Potential (Chandler, Arizona)
• Shared Skies Initiative (Dallas, TX)
• The Bionic Leaf (Plano, TX)

Judges & Emcees

For the first time ever, the Student Impact Challenge was emceed and judged entirely by other youth changemakers, thanks to The Allstate Foundation’s commitment to youth empowerment. The competition was emceed by Zöe Jenkins, director of Civic Trust and Recruitment at Civics Unplugged, and Kennedy Little, Founder of Evergreen. The pitches were judged by:

• Alex Quian, Youth Empowerment Program Officer for The Allstate Foundation
• Nandana Menon, founder of Spark and SXSW EDU 2025 Student Impact Challenge winner
• Sophia Kianni, founder of Phia
• Tejasvi Manoj, founder of Shield Seniors

Coaching provided by CASE at Duke helped the student finalists refine and perfect their pitch in the months leading up to the live competition.

Congratulations to Immunova AI!

Photo by Andy Wenstrand

The post Announcing Immunova AI as the SXSW EDU 2026 Student Impact Challenge Winner appeared first on SXSW EDU.

At the Hilton, watch today’s Keynote, Keeping Teachers at the Center of AI in Schools with Adeel Khan and Martha Salazar-Zamora in the Hilton Grand Ballroom (Salon HJK) at 12:30pm. Check out today’s Featured Sessions in Salon FG, kicking off with EdTech Has Been Building for the Wrong Person. Dive into more Hilton programming:

• 9:00am-3:30pm — Stand Together Trust Lounge, presented by Stand Together Trust
• 11:00am — Featured Session: Redefining Redemption Through Talent, Culture, & Opportunity
• 10:00am-7:30pm — Public House for the Future, presented by Siegel Family Endowment and the Stanford d.school
• 4:00pm — Engaging Gen Z: Strategies to Recruit Future Educators

Explore Today at the Hilton

Discovery is buzzing at the Austin Marriott Downtown! Immerse yourself in innovation at the final day of the SXSW EDU Expo, presented by Canyon GBS. Plus, don’t miss the Student Impact Challenge, presented by The Allstate Foundation, where high school students will showcase their innovative ideas. Explore more in the Austin Marriott Downtown:

• 11:30am — A Culture of Learning in Central Texas
• 2:00pm — Plot Twist: Power, Protest, & Politics in Young World
• 2:00pm — Leveling the Playing Field for the Collegiate Female Founder
• 4:00pm — Reimagining the Learning Spaces of Tomorrow through PLAY!

Explore Today at the Marriott

Catch more inspiring Meet Ups and Workshops at the Courtyard Marriott. Check these out:

• 9:00am — Balancing Your Personal Brand with a Professional Role
• 11:00am — The Light, the Child, & the Pinecone
• 2:00pm — Learning Hubs 2.0 - Designing for Early Learning Everywhere
• 4:00pm — Not a Liability: Rethinking Mental Health in Leadership

Explore Today at the Courtyard Marriott

Don’t miss the Westin for more Panels, Solos, and Meet Ups. Explore:

• 9:00am — Slow Is a Pedagogy: Reclaiming Humanity in Early Learning
• 11:00am — What Does it Mean to be Literate in the Age of AI?
• 2:30pm — The Photovoice of Black Fatherhood
• 4:00pm — Student Meet Up

Explore Today at the Westin

Join us for the last day of the SXSW EDU Clubhouse at Antone’s from 9:00am-6:00pm! Watch Performances, including a hip-hop show led by music industry educators and youth mentors. All Walking Tours will also meet at the Clubhouse before heading out for the tour.

We can’t wait to spend day three with you all!

Photos by Stephen Olker & Adam Kissick

The post Day Three of Discovery at SXSW EDU 2026 appeared first on SXSW EDU.

Launch Award Winner 

Apprentos

New York, NY

America’s future talent isn’t coming from college; it’s coming from apprenticeships. Apprentos is the Operating System making that possible. We replaced a pre-internet bureaucracy with a modern stack: employers launch programs in minutes, governments track live ROI, and talent gets mobile-first career guidance. In our pilot, we slash administrative costs from $400K to $1.3K per apprentice. We aren't just building workforce tech. We are rewriting the code for the American Dream.

Impact Award Winner

ShareTheBoard

Kraków, Poland

ShareTheBoard is a software solution that radically improves the accessibility of board-based classrooms. It effectively gives analog surfaces digital capabilities: everything written by hand is zoomable and unobstructed, captured in real time, and even auto-transcribed. Using schools’ existing hardware, ShareTheBoard provides an affordable and easily implementable solution to guarantee equitable board access for students with learning differences, visual impairment, or mobility issues.

Community Choice Award Winner

Rézme

Palo Alto, CA

Rézme helps employers and colleges recruit hidden talent, including veterans, justice-impacted individuals, and opportunity youth. We integrate skills-based screening, partner referrals, government incentive capture, and fair-chance hiring compliance directly into HR systems. Candidates receive legal-education to understand their employment rights while employers gain a compliant recruiting process that reduces risk, increases candidate yield, and automates government incentives for higher ROI.

The Launch Startup Competition highlights innovative startups across the education and edtech space and gives them the platform to scale their goals. Out of the largest application pool in the competition’s history, these seven early-stage startups were selected to compete as finalists:

• Apprentos (New York, NY)
• Learnology (Brush Prairie, WA)
• Opal for Schools (New York, NY)
• Rézme (Palo Alto, CA)
• ShareTheBoard (Kraków, Poland)
• Storytime AI (Baltimore, MD)
• Youth for STEM Equity (Columbus, OH)

The competition was emceed by Adeel Khan, founder and CEO of MagicSchool AI. Following the live pitches, judges Kavitta Ghai, Nectir CEO and co-founder; Shayla Cornick, deputy director of edtech R&D at Digital Promise; Kevin Johnstun, Program Officer for the Education Program at the Walton Family Foundation; and Tina Austin, UCLA professor selected the three award winners. To help them prepare for the live competition, finalists and semifinalists had access to coaching provided by StartEd.

Congrats to Apprentos, ShareTheBoard, and Rézme!

Stay in the Loop for SXSW EDU 2026

Follow along so you don’t miss a thing on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, X, and our newsletter.

Photo by Adam Kissick

The post Apprentos Named Winner of the SXSW EDU 2026 Launch Startup Competition appeared first on SXSW EDU.

At the Hilton, watch today’s Keynote, Improving Young Minds & Mental Wellbeing in the AI Era with Bruce Reed and Dr. Laurie Santos in the Hilton Grand Ballroom (Salon HJK) at 12:30pm. Check out today’s Featured Sessions in Salon FG, kicking off with Exclusion to Empowerment: Women, Tech, & the Future of Learning. Dive into more Hilton programming:

• 9am — Designing With, Not For: Youth Power & Math Narrative Project presented by Gates Foundation
• 11am — Featured Session: From the Stage to the Stars: A New Script for STEM
• 11am — Shifting Gears: A NASCAR Racer on Autism & Mediamaking
• 5:30pm — Leadership for Tomorrow Happy Hour presented by Wake Forest University

Explore Today at the Hilton

Discovery is buzzing at the Austin Marriott Downtown! Immerse yourself in innovation at the SXSW EDU Expo, presented by Canyon GBS. Don’t miss as selected finalists compete live before a panel of industry experts in the Launch Startup Competition and join us later in the evening for a reception and winner announcement at the Launch Spotlight, presented by Walton Family Foundation. Explore more in the Austin Marriott Downtown:

• 9am — On Our Minds Road Trip: A Conversation with Austin Students
• 9am-5pm — WGU Lounge: The Whole Learner Framework, presented by Western Governors University
• 10:30am — The Adult Literacy Connection
• 2pm — The End of Slow: How Schools Escape from Digital Gridlock

Explore Today at the Marriott

Catch more inspiring Meet Ups and Workshops at the Courtyard Marriott. Check these out:

• 9am — Hit the Switch: Making Learning Through Play Accessible
• 11am — Justice with Young Folks in 2026
• 2pm — Future-Proofing & Empowering Youth via Project Management
• 4pm — Tabletop Gaming for Middle Grades

Explore Today at the Courtyard Marriott

Don’t miss the Westin for more Panels, Solo Sessions, and Meet Ups. Explore:

• 9am — Student Voice, Real Power: Shaping Schools from Within
• 11:30am — Student-Led Advocacy for Accessible Learning
• 2:30pm — Wizards, Dinos, & ... Bob: A Story of Improvised Storytelling
• 4pm — Future of Education Meet Up: Collective Action for Change

Explore Today at the Westin

Join us for another day at the SXSW EDU Clubhouse at Antone’s from 9:00am-6:00pm! Watch Performances, including a live magic show that doubles as a leadership clinic. All Walking Tours will also meet at the Clubhouse before heading out for the tour.

Keep Up to Date with SXSW EDU 2026

Stay in the know throughout the event on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and our newsletter.

Photos By Stephen Olker and Amanda Stronza

The post Exploring Day Two at SXSW EDU 2026! appeared first on SXSW EDU.

The Hilton is your starting point. Pick up your badge here—or at Palmer Events Center and Fairmont Austin. At the Hilton Austin Downtown, watch the opening Keynote, Reimagining Early Learning: Connection in a Digital Age, with Monica J. Sutton in the Hilton Grand Ballroom (Salon HJK) at 12:30pm. Plus, don’t miss all of our amazing Featured Sessions in Salon FG, starting the day with How State Constitutions Empower & Protect Youth. The Hilton is also home to many of our Workshops, Meet Ups, Mentor & Roundtable sessions, Panels, and more. 

You won’t want to miss the Austin Marriott Downtown! Immerse yourself in innovation at the SXSW EDU Expo, presented by Canyon GBS. Higher education, workforce, and education technology take the spotlight at the Marriott. Don’t miss today’s live Podcast Recordings and Film Screenings, followed by audience Q&A, as well as more Mentor Sessions, Panels, Workshops, Solos, and Meet Ups.

The Courtyard Marriott is a hub dedicated to Meet Ups and Workshops designed to get ideas moving. Today’s focus areas at the Courtyard Marriott include Convergence, Early Learning, and K-12 Education.

The Westin is a hub of activity and growing momentum. Dive into Panels, Solo Sessions, and Meet Ups designed to ignite new ideas and foster genuine connections.

Are you ready for this? It’s also the first day of the SXSW EDU Clubhouse at Antone’s from 9:00am-6:00pm! Watch Performances including a live game of Dungeons & Dragons played by a cast of kids and grown-ups. All Walking Tours will also meet at the Clubhouse before heading out for the tour. And don’t miss the chance to celebrate the start of the event tonight at the SXSW EDU Opening Party, presented by Western Governors University, from 7:30pm-11:00pm!

Keep Up to Date with SXSW EDU 2026

Stay in the know throughout the event on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and our newsletter.

Photos By Stephen Olker and Amanda Stronza

The post SXSW EDU 2026 Is Here! Welcome to Day One appeared first on SXSW EDU.

Registration is officially open for badge pickup and purchase. If you’re in Austin, we recommend grabbing your badge early and so you can get a head start on networking this evening. Don’t forget to bring your government-issued ID, and please keep in mind that badges can only be picked up and used by the registrant.

Registration Location:

Hilton Austin Lobby | 500 E 4th St

Registration Hours:

• Sunday, March 8 |​ 4:00pm – 8:00pm
• Monday, March 9 | 8:00am – 8:00pm
• Tuesday, March 10 | ​8:00am – 6:00pm
• Wednesday, March 11 | ​8:00am – 6:00pm
• Thursday, March 12 | ​8:00am – 6:00pm (Speaker Help Desk Only)

Palmer Events Center | 900 Barton Springs Rd

Registration Hours:

• Sunday, March 8 |​ 4:00pm – 8:00pm
• Monday, March 9 | 8:00am – 8:00pm
• Tuesday, March 10 | ​8:00am – 6:00pm
• Wednesday, March 11 | ​8:00am – 6:00pm

Fairmont Indigo Room | 101 Red River St

Registration Hours:

• Sunday, March 8 |​ 4:00pm – 8:00pm
• Monday, March 9 | 8:00am – 8:00pm
• Tuesday, March 10 | ​8:00am – 6:00pm
• Wednesday, March 11 | ​8:00am – 8:00pm

Kick off your SXSW EDU experience at the Early Bird Social, presented by Achievement First. Head over to Austin Marriott Downtown in Waller Ballroom Room C from 6:00pm-8:00pm for light drinks  and lots of networking. Start your SXSW EDU off with new connections for the rest of the week.

Don’t forget to pick up your badge before you plan to participate in any programming or events, which include tonight’s first Walking Tour and Early Bird Social, presented by Achievement First.

Here are a few great resources for the week ahead:

• Download the SXSW EDU GO app
• Browse the SXSW EDU Schedule
• Follow us on social media
• Explore the Attendee Guide

Keep Up to Date with SXSW EDU 2026

Stay in the know throughout the event on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and our newsletter.

Photo By Tico Mendoza

The post Let’s Go! Badge Pickup Is Now Open appeared first on SXSW EDU.

We are excited to announce that you can tune into SXSW EDU Live to watch this year’s Keynote and Featured Sessions. Starting at 9:00am CT daily, watch education professionals, innovators, and futurists at the top of their fields take the stage for groundbreaking presentations on leading trends and topics across the education space and beyond.

Access 5 daily thought-provoking sessions that will energize your practice, elevate your thinking, and help you drive impact. Follow along from your home, office, or around the conference, so you don’t miss a thing.

Explore the lineup of Keynote and Featured Speakers on this year's program taking place March 9-12, streaming live throughout the event.

Watch SXSW EDU 2026 Live

Keep Up to Date with SXSW EDU 2026

Stay in the know throughout the event on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and our newsletter.

Photo By Amanda Stronza

The post Watch SXSW EDU 2026 Keynote & Featured Sessions Live appeared first on SXSW EDU.

Explore the Show Floor

Dive into the 2026 Expo

Kick off the day with a Coffee Break starting at 9:00am, where you can make new connections over a cup of your favorite morning beverage. 

You won't want to miss the over 50 exhibitors including a speaker box with Tonies, an opportunity to connect with Penguin Random House, and so much more.

Full Exhibitor List

Stop by the Show & Tell Stage in the expo to discover exciting products and services from our partners in a presentation or fireside chat setting.

Plus, be sure to catch the Central Texas Learning Festival on the Show & Tell Stage at 11:30am to celebrate exceptional contributions to learning in Central Texas. Join them as they celebrate and recognize those leading the way in building a culture of learning during the 2nd annual Central Texas Lifelong Learning Awards. Don’t miss this chance to discover local individuals or organizations who are significantly impacting Central Texas.

Stop by the Central Texas Learning Festival at booth #415 to learn more about how you can keep the learning going at the free event across Central Texas that kicks off March 11-15.

Fuel up and get some more networking in at the Snack Break, presented by ExxonMobil Foundation, at 3:00pm.

We look forward to seeing you at the SXSW EDU 2026 Expo, presented by Canyon GBS, and encourage you to invite friends and colleagues who share an interest in the latest developments and innovations in education.

Let Us Know You’re Coming

Photo by Virginia Hernandez

The post Attend the SXSW EDU Expo Free on Wednesday, March 11 appeared first on SXSW EDU.

Conference Comfort Meets Business Chic

Of course you’ll start with the standard clothes and toiletries you’ll need for a four-day event, but SXSW EDU isn’t your typical conference. You’ll want some business casual clothes to wear during networking events, but you’ll also want to be comfortable as you learn and explore. Leave your suit at home and bring clothes that show your personality!

Comfortable Shoes

You’ll be getting a lot of steps in walking between venues and sessions, so make sure to have comfortable shoes on hand (or on foot). This isn’t the time to get new shoes or break in a nice pair of cowboy boots—wear shoes you know can support you through your learning journey.

Sun Protection

The sun shines big and bright deep in the heart of Texas. Even though it’s March, prepare for a lot of sun exposure. You’ll want to throw sunscreen and sunglasses with UV protection in your bag for the trip.

Reusable Water Bottle

It’s easy to forget to drink water as you travel from session to session. Bring along a water bottle to make sure you stay hydrated! Fill stations are located throughout the hotels and venues to help you keep your water bottle full. Plus, it’s a great spot to keep stickers you get from exhibitors. 

Chargers

You’ll want to keep your devices (and yourself) charged. Attendees use their phones to navigate the schedule, share contact information, and take notes on sessions—make sure you have a way to get extra juice. Bring along charging cords and portable batteries for your devices.

As for yourself, make sure you have whatever food and caffeine you need to be focused for a long day of learning. While there are plenty of spots for food and scheduled snack breaks, presented by ExxonMobil Foundation, sometimes it’s nice to have a favorite granola bar at your disposal. 

Jacket 

March is a great time to visit Austin, with temperatures typically around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. But you’ll still want to be prepared for different kinds of weather, from chilly evenings to possible rain. The low can get below 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night, so bring a jacket that can keep you comfortable.

Notebook

There will be a lot of big ideas to take in at SXSW EDU, and you’ll want a way to capture all the information. Bring along a notebook, laptop, or whatever you need to take notes. You’ll be glad you did when you’re back at work recounting your favorite moments to coworkers.

Backpack

You already have some good essentials on your packing list, and you don’t want to just leave them in your room. Pack an extra bag or a backpack to carry supplies—from your laptop to a water bottle—between events. It’s also useful for holding business cards, merch, and swag you collect throughout the day!

Bonus: Extra Packing Space

It’s not just about what you bring; you also need to think about what not to bring. SXSW EDU has some great merch, so you’ll want to save some space in your suitcase. Plus, you might want to bring some back for your friends who couldn’t make it. 

If you’re looking for more ways to prepare, you can plan your itinerary on the SXSW EDU Schedule and find more tips in our Attendee Guide. We wish you safe travels and an exceptional start to SXSW EDU 2026!

Photo by Tico Mendoza

The post SXSW EDU 101: Your Ultimate Packing Guide appeared first on SXSW EDU.