Below you'll find the top 50 education trends for 2026, spotted by Rising Trends's trend radar algorithm.
These topics were detected from online sources including TikTok, X (Twitter), Instagram, Reddit, news outlets, and Google Search data. Each trend has at least 1,000+ monthly searches and over 20% year-over-year growth.
All education trends with over 20% year-over-year growth, ranked by search volume.
| # | Topic | 5Y Trend | Search Vol. | Growth 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gpa Calculator | 1,000,000 | +22% | |
| 2 | Gizmos | 673,000 | +308% | |
| 3 | Notebook Lm | 450,000 | +22% | |
| 4 | Wayground Join | 368,000 | +99X | |
| 5 | Active Student | 301,000 | +307% | |
| 6 | Student Progress Center | 246,000 | +172% | |
| 7 | Brain Rot | 201,000 | +306% | |
| 8 | Ehall Pass | 165,000 | +173% | |
| 9 | Ai Writing Tool | 165,000 | +173% | |
| 10 | Turbo Ai | 135,000 | +99X | |
| 11 | Liberty Science Center | 135,000 | +23% | |
| 12 | Planetarium | 135,000 | +23% | |
| 13 | Homework Help | 110,000 | +172% | |
| 14 | Home Access | 90,500 | +50% | |
| 15 | Sync Grades | 90,500 | +123% | |
| 16 | Vers | 90,500 | +22% | |
| 17 | Online Learning Platforms | 90,500 | +511% | |
| 18 | Proctors | 90,500 | +50% | |
| 19 | Ai Homework Helper | 74,000 | +173% | |
| 20 | Course Schedule Planner | 60,500 | +22% | |
| 21 | Campus Connectivity | 40,500 | +22% | |
| 22 | Swimming With Sharks | 40,500 | +22% | |
| 23 | Affordable 3d Printer | 40,500 | +174% | |
| 24 | Random Group Generator | 40,500 | +174% | |
| 25 | Yaupon | 40,500 | +22% | |
| 26 | Flash Card Generator | 40,500 | +174% | |
| 27 | Ut Ris | 40,500 | +49% | |
| 28 | Nicu Nurse | 33,100 | +49% | |
| 29 | Project Stem | 33,100 | +309% | |
| 30 | Free Birth Chart Calculator | 33,100 | +174% | |
| 31 | Fccla | 33,100 | +83% | |
| 32 | Uc Piqs | 33,100 | +83% | |
| 33 | Book Fair | 33,100 | +22% | |
| 34 | In Print We Trust | 33,100 | +83% | |
| 35 | Mlk Library | 33,100 | +22% | |
| 36 | Language Learning Apps | 33,100 | +22% | |
| 37 | Vsepr Chart | 33,100 | +22% | |
| 38 | Homeschooling | 33,100 | +22% | |
| 39 | Fresh Start Program | 27,100 | +22% | |
| 40 | Journaling | 27,100 | +22% | |
| 41 | Budget 3d Printing | 27,100 | 21X | |
| 42 | Meiji | 22,200 | +50% | |
| 43 | Youll | 18,100 | +22% | |
| 44 | Wit And Wisdom | 18,100 | +50% | |
| 45 | Feet Per Second Calculator | 18,100 | +22% | |
| 46 | 3 Ring Binder | 18,100 | +50% | |
| 47 | Public Speaking | 14,800 | +49% | |
| 48 | Human Design Chart Free | 12,100 | +49% | |
| 49 | Mud Kitchen | 12,100 | +22% | |
| 50 | Chemistry Ai | 12,100 | +22% |
Showing top 10 of 50 education trends
| Category | Market Size | Growth | Leaders |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI Learning Tools | ~$4.2B | ~36% CAGR | Google, OpenAI, Quizlet |
| EdTech Software | ~$142B | ~13.4% CAGR | Canvas, PowerSchool |
| STEM Education | ~$127B | ~14.1% CAGR | Project Lead The Way |
| Homeschool Market | ~$15B | ~8.5% CAGR | Khan Academy, IXL |
| 3D Printing in Education | ~$1.8B | ~21% CAGR | Creality, Bambu Lab |
CAGR = compound annual growth rate
For a breakdown of how we spot these movements before they peak, see our guide on Google Trends for market research where we explain our methodology.
Artificial intelligence has fundamentally changed how students learn and complete assignments. "AI homework helper" generates 74,000 monthly searches with +173% year-over-year growth, while "AI writing tool" captures 165,000 searches (+173% YoY). The controversial but unstoppable "homework help" reaches 110,000 searches (+172% YoY) as students seek AI-powered assistance.
The genie is out of the bottle – AI tutoring is now as common as calculators were a generation ago.
AI learning tools are surging because:
The AI in education market is projected to reach $20 billion by 2027, growing at 36% annually.
AI Homework Helper (74,000 searches, +173% YoY) – Tools that explain problems step-by-step rather than just providing answers. Photomath and Socratic by Google lead this category.
AI Writing Tool (165,000 searches, +173% YoY) – From essay assistance to grammar checking to research summarization. The line between "assistance" and "cheating" continues to blur.
NotebookLM (450,000 searches, +22% YoY) – Google's AI notebook that transforms documents into interactive study materials. Students upload notes and get AI-powered summaries, quizzes, and audio overviews.
Flash Card Generator (40,500 searches, +174% YoY) – AI tools that automatically create flashcards from notes or textbooks. Quizlet has integrated AI to generate cards from any content.
Schools are going digital with everything from hall passes to grade tracking. "Ehall pass" explodes with 165,000 monthly searches and +173% year-over-year growth as schools eliminate paper passes. "Student progress center" hits 246,000 searches (+172% YoY), and "sync grades" captures 90,500 searches (+123% YoY).
Paper-based school management is becoming as outdated as overhead projectors.
Digital management tools are surging because:
The K-12 EdTech market exceeds $142 billion globally, with management software growing fastest.
Ehall Pass (165,000 searches, +173% YoY) – Digital hall pass systems replacing paper slips. Students request passes via app, teachers approve with one click, and administrators see real-time movement.
Student Progress Center (246,000 searches, +172% YoY) – Parent portals showing grades, assignments, and attendance in real-time. PowerSchool dominates this space.
Sync Grades (90,500 searches, +123% YoY) – Tools connecting learning management systems to gradebooks automatically. Teachers grade once, and it syncs everywhere.
Clicker (110,000 searches, +122% YoY) – Classroom response systems for instant polling and quizzes. Students answer on phones or dedicated devices; teachers see comprehension in real-time.
A new term has entered the educational vocabulary. "Brain rot" generates 201,000 monthly searches with +306% year-over-year growth as parents, teachers, and students themselves grapple with the effects of endless scrolling on attention and learning.
The battle between productive technology use and digital distraction has never been more intense.
The brain rot conversation is exploding because:
Schools are implementing phone bans while students find creative workarounds.
Brain Rot (201,000 searches, +306% YoY) – Slang describing the mental fog from excessive short-form content consumption. Now being studied by researchers and addressed by schools.
Sensory Toys (49,500 searches, +22% YoY) – Fidget tools designed to help students focus. Once dismissed, now embraced as ADHD and anxiety management tools.
STEM education meets affordable technology. "Budget 3D printing" has exploded with 27,100 monthly searches and an incredible +1,985% year-over-year growth. "Affordable 3D printer" reaches 40,500 searches (+174% YoY), while "Project STEM" captures 33,100 searches (+309% YoY) as hands-on learning goes mainstream.
The $5,000 classroom 3D printer is now a $200 device every school can afford.
Budget making tools are surging because:
The educational 3D printing market is growing at 21% annually.
Budget 3D Printing (27,100 searches, +1,985% YoY) – The search for affordable printers suitable for classrooms and home learning. Entry-level models now produce quality prints.
Affordable 3D Printer (40,500 searches, +174% YoY) – Specific product searches as buyers compare options. Creality and Bambu Lab dominate entry-level.
Project STEM (33,100 searches, +309% YoY) – Curriculum and resources for science, technology, engineering, and math education. Schools investing heavily in STEM labs and programs.
Alternative education keeps growing. "Homeschooling" generates 33,100 monthly searches with steady +22% year-over-year growth as families seek more control over education. The movement that accelerated during the pandemic has become a permanent shift for millions of families.
What was once considered fringe is now a mainstream educational choice.
Homeschooling continues growing because:
The homeschool market exceeds $15 billion with 5+ million students in the US alone.
Homeschooling (33,100 searches, +22% YoY) – General interest remains strong as families research the option. Support groups, co-ops, and resources have professionalized.
Course Schedule Planner (60,500 searches, +22% YoY) – Tools to organize homeschool curriculum and track progress. Both parents and older students use these for self-directed learning.
GPA Calculator (1,000,000 searches, +22% YoY) – Massive search volume as homeschool students need to translate their work into traditional metrics for college applications.
Medical career programs are in high demand. "Proctors" captures 90,500 monthly searches (+50% YoY) as healthcare testing expands. "NICU nurse" reaches 33,100 searches (+49% YoY), and "accelerated nursing programs" generates 33,100 searches as career changers seek fast-track healthcare credentials.
The healthcare worker shortage is driving unprecedented interest in medical education.
Medical career interest is surging because:
Nursing program applications have increased 30%+ since 2020.
Proctors (90,500 searches, +50% YoY) – Testing administrators for healthcare certifications. The certification testing industry has expanded dramatically.
NICU Nurse (33,100 searches, +49% YoY) – Neonatal intensive care nursing, a specialized and high-demand field combining pediatrics with critical care.
Accelerated Nursing Programs (33,100 searches) – Second-degree nursing programs condensing BSN into 12-18 months for career changers with prior bachelor's degrees.
The education landscape of 2026 reveals a sector in rapid transformation, driven by AI integration, digital management tools, and changing family preferences. Whether students are getting homework help from AI tutors (74K searches, +173%), schools are tracking movements with digital hall passes (165K searches, +173%), or families are exploring homeschooling (33K searches, +22%) – the common thread is technology reshaping every aspect of learning.
The winning education trends of 2026 share these characteristics:
For entrepreneurs and investors, the data points to several high-growth opportunities: AI tutoring tools that help rather than replace learning, digital school management software, affordable STEM equipment for classrooms, and healthcare education programs addressing worker shortages.
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