Four Themes to Inspire at SXSW EDU 2026

It’s hard to believe that we are already in the midst of preparing for SXSW EDU 2026, with PanelPickerⓇ proposals in full swing, and Launch applications coming in — all brimming with new ideas for the future of education. Here in Austin, not only have we been hard at work preparing even more opportunities to get involved, but our attention has also been focused on one of our most meaningful projects of the year — setting our themes for the upcoming season.

Each summer, we take time to reflect on the past year and set our sights on what’s to come for the incredible community we have the privilege of convening in March. Given our unique vantage point at the intersection of culture and learning, we enjoy setting themes for the broader education and workforce landscape. Since 2018, this work has produced a set of guiding principals that we use to infuse the experience and spark the magic energy of SXSW EDU.

Now more than ever, we are galvanized by the spirit of connection and exploration that our community steadfastly embodies in rapidly changing times in education and beyond. Through curiosity, exploration, drive, and optimism, we gather to see what’s possible and build a brighter future.

Don’t just take it from us, read on to discover the 2026 themes and see what they mean to our Advisory Board members.

Wonder

There is no more powerful force in our universe than the ability for humans to allow their thoughts to play and imagine big, bold, new things in an unfettered way. It’s when we give ourselves this freedom of thought, allowing space for ideation, that we can dream about today and what we want for the future.

“When I hear the word wonder and how it relates to education right now I think about the new creative technologies that are more readily available to students and educators. Currently, interactive design and tech are more accessible and I am seeing teachers introduce more visual and kinetic projects into their curriculum, with students creating really fun and cool projects. For example, 3D scanning, and printing are being used more widely, and I see students get really excited when they see one of their creations become digitally or physically actualized. I'm looking forward to seeing how both educators and students use a lot of the new tech tools available for creation and learning.”

Mayet Andreassen
Assoc. Program Dir. of the B.S. in Visualization and Instructional Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University

Seek

Imagination becomes action when we pursue new connections through inquiry and curiosity. In an increasingly insular world, we aim to inspire a willingness to start conversations, discover fresh perspectives, and find opportunities for collaboration.

“When I hear the word seek, I think of stories where a group of individuals strikes out in search of treasure, and along the way discovers a sense of self and community that shines brighter than any pile of gold. I think this applies here. In education, we pursue knowledge and solutions, as we should, but we also deeply seek to use this for that self discovery and to share with others along the way.”

Stephanie Campbell
Owner, TTRPGkids, LLC

Build

By taking the pieces that we gain through exploration and putting them together, we establish a stronger infrastructure for education and the grassroots movements that lead to ground-breaking solutions.

“In this time of unprecedented technological advancement, we have both the opportunity and responsibility to build innovative learning environments and solutions that center the learner and unlock natural creativity. By thinking differently and working collaboratively, we can create tools and models that develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills to help all students thrive—today and in the future. Building in education means designing pathways that serve every learner, especially those who have historically been furthest from opportunity.”

Andy Bell
Head of Business Innovation, FIRST Robotics

Illuminate

Remember that feeling when you discovered something new? Or solved a nagging problem? At a moment where so many aspects of our world feel overwhelming, the chance to share, experiment, and create infuses us with light, energy, and possibility. By brightening the path forward, we can invigorate the next generation of education changemakers.

“To illuminate education is to make the invisible visible — to surface the lived experiences, challenges, and strengths of both learners and educators. It’s about designing learning that feels like life: messy, emotional, real. Illumination means pulling education out of abstraction and into lived practice — where students build the skills, empathy, and self-awareness they’ll actually need to thrive. It means creating spaces where people don’t just learn about the world, they experience what it means to be part of it. That’s where transformation starts — not in content, but in connection.”

K Rocco Shields
CEO & Founder, Genius Academy

Themes Through The Years

Explore how evolving themes and trends have shaped the SXSW EDU community and programming throughout the years.

Feeling Inspired?

Bring your ideas to this year's event! Learn more about all the participation opportunities available, including PanelPicker which is open for submissions now through July 27, 2025.

By Julia Shatilo

07/10/2025