We are incredibly thankful for the support of our partners, without whom SXSW EDU would not be possible, and are excited to share the experiences they’re adding to SXSW EDU 2026. Our partners are hosting insightful programming sessions, interactive lounges, and a variety of exciting social events for the community.
Explore some of the inspiring work our valued partners are doing. Sessions will dive into how to transform civics from a history lesson to an actionable playbook for the future with Stand Together Trust, how you can empower youth to serve and improve communities with The Allstate Foundation, and how to balance innovative state-level policies with strong regional implementation with Walton Family Foundation. Plus, explore how to design the ideal day for a K-12 student learning in the age of AI with Seigel Family Endowment, and how to build pathways to workforce-aligned apprenticeships with Western Governors University, among many more.
Additional opportunities for programming and networking can be found in this year’s lounges and activations presented by Britebound, LEGO Education, Microsoft, Siegel Family Endowment, Stand Together Trust, Western Governors University, and Wake Forest University. These customized spaces—featuring virtual classrooms, coffee carts, and more—offer enhanced opportunities for networking, learning, and connecting with their teams. Plus, stop by the Public House for the Future, presented by Siegel Family Endowment and the Stanford d.school, on Wednesday for Youth Takeover Day, where anyone under 24 is invited to join educators and journalists to exchange ideas on education, creativity, and civic power, and build stories that amplify student voice.
Discover several social events taking place throughout the week, starting on Sunday, March 8!
Check out the full list of the powerful programming brought to you by our partners:
Partner Programming
Accessibility Solutions
- Innovation at Work: Learning Science & AI Driving Solutions presented by Pearson
Arts & Culture
- Senior Marketing Leaders Meet Up presented by American Marketing Association
- The Courage to Connect: Turning Empathy into Action presented by The Allstate Foundation
- The Trust Paradox: AI, Creativity, & Credibility presented by The Webby Awards
Community Initiatives
- Classroom to Career: Teaming Up to Transform STEM Education presented by ExxonMobil Foundation
- The Adult Literacy Connection presented by Literacy Texas
- Youth-Led Service: Fostering Personal & Professional Growth presented by The Allstate Foundation
Equity & Belonging
- Accelerating Equity in Math Through Collaborative Research presented by Gates Foundation
- Bold Moves: Reimagining Higher Ed Together presented by Gates Foundation
- From Random Acts to Purposeful Pathways for Every Student presented by Gates Foundation
- Voices for Justice: Who Gets to Finish? A Movement for Completion Justice presented by Gates Foundation
Future of Tech
- A New Talent Playbook for Education Innovation presented by Walton Family Foundation
- AI Skills For Educators: Practical Workforce Strategies presented by Microsoft
- Are You AI-Ready? What That Really Means for Student Success presented by Gates Foundation
- Creative AI-Powered Lessons with Minecraft Education presented by Microsoft
- CTRL+ALT+LEARN: Rebooting School for the AI Generation presented by Siegel Family Endowment
- Early Days Again: What AI Makes Possible for New Schools presented by City Fund
- Empowering Educators: AI & Tech Professional Development presented by Discovery Education
- Human Futures: Learning in a Tech-Shaped World presented by Rest of World
- The AI Core Curriculum for Faculty presented by The Chronicle of Higher Education
- The End of Slow: How Schools Escape from Digital Gridlock presented by Tellabs
- Three Myths Driving the AI Hype in Higher Education presented by Canyon GBS
- What Students & Staff Really Think About AI in Higher Ed presented by Gates Foundation
Health & Wellbeing
- Designing With, Not For: Responsive School Partnerships presented by Youth Guidance
- Joyful Learning: Meet the Educators Creating the Schools Kids Love presented by Stand Together Trust
- Reset & Rise: Building a Well-Being Plan for Educators presented by Western Governors University
- Unleashing Students' Tech Genius to Improve Mental Health presented by Dartmouth
Leadership for Tomorrow
- A Practical Toolkit for Designing Youth-Led Service Programs presented by Center for Expanding Leadership & Opportunity
- Proving What’s Possible in Career-Connected Learning presented by Bloomberg Philanthropies
- The Disengaged Teen Goes to College presented by The Chronicle of Higher Education
Policy & Advocacy
- Turning Best Practice to Standard: Scaling 9th Grade On-Track presented by Gates Foundation
Teaching & Learning
- Civics’ Future: A Playbook for the Pursuit of Happiness presented by Stand Together Trust
- Designing With, Not For: Youth Power & Math Narrative Project presented by Gates Foundation
- Dynamic Future of Marketing Education presented by American Marketing Association
- Engaging Gen Z: Strategies to Recruit Future Educators presented by Equitable Foundation
- From Classroom to Career: Transforming High School with Tech presented by Walton Family Foundation
- From Mystery to Mastery: What Students Say About AI Literacy presented by LEGO Education
- From Selection to Success: Effective Instruction in Practice presented by Gates Foundation
- Future of Education Meet Up: Collective Action for Change presented by FullScale
- Game On: Reimagining Career Exploration Through Play presented by Caterpillar Foundation
- KnoPro: Free Work-Based Learning for All presented by NAF
- Making AI Work for Higher Ed: A Leadership Conversation presented by Gates Foundation
- Power in Partnership: Scaling CBPL to Strengthen Math Outcomes presented by Gates Foundation
- Resilience & Roadblocks: Student Journeys Through DFW Grades presented by Gates Foundation
- Teaching Today: Innovations to Help Educators Stay & Thrive presented by Walton Family Foundation
- The Next Evolution: Education 3.0 presented by Western Governors University
Work Reimagined
- Apprenticeships: A Nuts-and-Bolts Guide presented by Western Governors University
- Beyond the Degree: Expanding Student Career Pathways presented by Walton Family Foundation
- Catalyzing Connections in Career-Connected Learning presented by Catalyze
- The Future of Education is Career-Connected presented by Catalyze
Activations & Lounges
Alpha X Showcase
LEGO® Education Computer Science & AI: A New Era of Learning
Public House for the Future
Reimagine Learning – Learn, Create, Inspire
Stand Together Trust Lounge
Wake Up with Wake Forest Coffee Cart
WGU Lounge Sessions: The Whole Learner Framework
Socials & Special Events
Sunday
SXSW EDU 2026 Early Bird Social presented by Achievement First
Monday
SXSW EDU 2026 Opening Party presented by Western Governors University
Tuesday
Launch Spotlight presented by Walton Family Foundation
Wednesday
Student Impact Challenge Ice Cream Social presented by The Allstate Foundation
Leadership Journeys at SXSW EDU 2026 presented by Big Picture Learning
Thursday
Crossover Day Mixer presented by Imaginable Futures
Don’t Miss Out On SXSW EDU 2026
Register and book your hotel today to break new ground in education through compelling sessions, in-depth workshops, mentorship, film screenings, trailblazing competitions, a dynamic expo, networking opportunities, and so much more at SXSW EDU from March 9-12, 2026.
Be the first to know of any information leading up to the event through Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and our newsletter.
Photo by Shannon Johnston.
