The SXSWedu Conference & Festival, a combination of keynotes, forums, networking events, an expo and other special events related to education, begins March 7 in downtown Austin. SXSWedu, part of the SXSW family of conferences and festivals, is a four-day event that will last through March 10, before the start of the SXSW Interactive and Film conferences and festivals on March 11. Walk-up registration for SXSWedu is available online and in-person at the Austin Convention Center for $495. A free and open-to-the-public SXSWedu expo will take place March 8 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m at Exhibit Hall 4 of the convention center. The expo includes meetups with college students and local professionals, a student performance stage, a student startup competition and exhibits. The annual conference and festival, which began in 2010, evolved from a regional education focus into an international event, SXSWedu Executive Director Ron Reed said. "I think that it's fitting that two weeks of SXSW begin with education as the starting point," Reed said. "I'm very proud of the growth of the event. The work that educators do is fundamental to our collective future." The keynotes this year are:

• Helping Different Kinds of Minds Solve Problems, March 7, 11 a.m.
• The Role of Maker Ed in Schools, March 8, 9:30 a.m.
• How to Think (and Learn) Like a Futurist, March 9, 9:30 a.m.

All three keynotes take place at the Austin Convention Center, Ballroom D. To view the full SXSWedu schedule, go here. Check communityimpact.com daily for coverage of SXSWedu.