ASE 2025 Annual Conference: Full Schedule

The ASE is delighted to be hosting its Annual Conference, generously sponsored by AQA, at the University of Nottingham from 9th to 11th January 2025. International sessions are incorporated throughout the event’s 3 days and we will have a great exhibition with lots of exclusive Conference offers. Post-16 focus-day and for those involved in leading and delivering professional development, the Teacher Developers’ Group programme is Thursday. Friday is the dedicated Technicians day, kindly sponsored by Philip Harris, and Early Career Teacher day. Sessions for both Primary and 11-19 are threaded throughout all 3 days with a focus on Research on Saturday.

Book your tickets now at https://ase2025AnnConf.eventbrite.co.uk - and remember, if you are an ASE member you will benefit from hugely discounted prices! Check out our membership here - it’s free for Early Career Teachers and only £25 for Technicians!

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08:45 GMT

Developing our understanding of enquiry types

Thursday January 9, 2025 08:45 - 09:35 GMT

Pope LT C15

Participants in this session will consider and discuss how they develop teachers' understanding of enquiry types, stimulated by the publication of a new edition of ‘It’s not fair – or is it?’ The authors of the new edition have considered questions such as:

•What are enquiry types?
•How useful are they?
•How have our definitions of them evolved since the publication of the National Curriculum (England) and the first edition of It's not fair?
•What do teachers and children need to know about them?
•Common misconceptions when teaching and learning about the enquiry types

They invite participants to join the conversation and consider the implications this has for their practice.

This session is related to the book It's not fair - or is it? which can be purchased from the ASE/Millgate bookshop.

Speakers

Liz Lawrence

Primary Science Education Consultant, Independent Consultant

I am a PSQM Hub Leader, Chartered Science Teacher, writer and resource developer (including earlier editions of It’s not fair - or is it? and PLAN resources). I have been involved in development of curriculum and assessment at national level. I was, at various times, a science subject... Read More →

Alex Sinclair

Senior Lecturer / Outgoing Co-Chair of ASE 23-24, St Mary's University and Association for Science Education

Lucy J Wood

Lecturer in Chemistry Education, Kings College London

I am a Lecturer in Chemistry Education at King’s College London with a research focus on practical work across primary and secondary settings. I have a passion for bringing scientific enquiry into the curriculum and have been closely involved in supporting professional development... Read More →

Thursday January 9, 2025 08:45 - 09:35 GMT
Pope LT C15

Primary

Theme Practical Work
Key Stage / Audience Type Teacher Developers, 5 to 7, 7 to 11, ITEs, Advisors/Consultants

08:45 GMT

Our Place on Earth: Raising the voice and agency of young children

Thursday January 9, 2025 08:45 - 09:35 GMT

Pope A17

Our Place on Earth is a Wonderseekers (the charity behind Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium) programme, with objectives to build partnerships to broaden our organisational expertise and credibility, expand and diversify our science engagement work to engage children with the natural sciences and local natural heritage, develop essential science enquiry skills and build awareness of local conservation. These objectives will be achieved by developing engaging, inclusive learning experiences and resources, on-site and in communities, to create equitable opportunities for children, especially those from underserved communities. Further, the output of this programme is to facilitate children's voice and be a better learning organisation, by developing equitable co-working practices with children, scientists and other practitioners. This will allow us to deliver a relevant, relatable project and inform future developments and social change.

This session will discuss the findings from the development phase of the programme, highlighting the activities undertaken, the lessons learned from those sessions, including how we have worked with an artist and scientists in developing the activities for children. The findings from our study into the voices and concerns of children about the environment, will be shared with the audience, as well as an outline of how we have made the activities accessible to a diverse range of needs. The focus of this session will be on accessibility and how to provide opportunities to capture children’s voice and provide them with a sense of agency about the environment, tackling climate change and biodiversity loss. We feel that it is important to highlight to children that climate change is on their doorstep and is something they can tangibly get involved with - creating a network of opportunities within the local community (e.g. citizen science, experience days with researchers and in-house school trip activities). The programme also entails the design of an exhibition space that will function as an accessible learning space too.

Attendants of the sessions will be able to engage with some of the activities that were carried out during the development phase of the programme, including learning about soil, sound in nature, light pollution, sustainable farming and the conservation of endangered species. Following a short presentation and activity period, there will be time dedicated to Q&A to discuss matters such as SEND provision, what accessibility means to you and us, how strive to provide as equitable an experience as possible and what we are doing to open the floor to children’s voice.

Speakers

Nikhil Mistry

Head of Curiosity, Winchester Science Centre by Wonderseekers

Emiley Hinton

Project Officer (Our Place on Earth), Wonderseekers

Thursday January 9, 2025 08:45 - 09:35 GMT
Pope A17

Primary

Theme Sustainability climate change & environmental issues
Key Stage / Audience Type ECTs, Global, Industry, Teacher Developers, 5 to 7, 7 to 11
Twitter feed @WonderseekersUK

09:45 GMT

Enabling change through the assessment of thinking scientifically

Thursday January 9, 2025 09:45 - 10:35 GMT

Pope A17

In an era of diminishing teacher autonomy (OECD 2016; Worth and Van den Brande 2020), many teachers find they are unable to enact change in their practice. In our presentation, we will model some professional learning experiences that we believe can empower teachers to refine their practice.

Our session has two aims. There is a growing body of professional resources that seeks to support children to think scientifically. Firstly, we will model how to introduce a professional resource through an analysis of children's work as illustrations of aspects of Dr. Murphy's Thinking Scientifically Matrix. This matrix articulates a progression in children's thinking in primary science.
Secondly, building on Dr. Serret’s research expertise in enabling pedagogical transformation, we will share some effective approaches that help to communicate evidence-informed pedagogy across a community of practitioners.

Through this, our presentation considers how to introduce pedagogical initiatives (e.g. A Thinking Scientifically Matrix) that allows teachers to integrate this within their existing practice but also encourages them to make small, significant shifts in how they assess, teach and plan in primary science.

In this session you will:
•Have the opportunity to engage in first-hand experiences of applying a pedagogical tool (thinking scientifically matrix) to children’s work.
•Identify how teachers might adapt their planning and teaching when integrating new pedagogy within their existing practice.
•Think about the potential that different professional learning experiences can offer in enabling teachers to enact change in their practice.

Speakers

Alison Murphy

Senior Lecturer, Nottingham Trent University

Natasha Serret

Senior Lecturer in Education, Nottingham Trent University

Dr. Natasha Serret BA (Hons) MA PGCE SFHEAPrimary BA Joint Course LeaderSenior Lecturer in EducationNottingham Trent UniversityNottingham Institute of Education

Thursday January 9, 2025 09:45 - 10:35 GMT
Pope A17

Primary

Theme Assessment
Key Stage / Audience Type Global, Industry, Teacher Developers, 5 to 7, 7 to 11, ITEs, Advisors/Consultants, Selected by Teacher Developers' Group

09:45 GMT

The joy of practical primary science - more ideas

Thursday January 9, 2025 09:45 - 10:35 GMT

Coates C22

Using surprising science to aid discussion and experimentation supports scientific thinking. In this practical workshop participants carry out activities which seem surprising. We will discuss how they work and how to use them in the classroom. Most of the activities will use materials easy to source so they are straightforward to replicate in the classroom.

Speakers

Sarah Sisson

Workshop leader, Sphere Science

Practical activities to do in classrooms, at school events and with families.

Meg Post

Workshop leader, Sphere Science

I am interested in supporting the personal development of scientific thinking in people of all ages, especially through investigative science and practical demonstration. My background, originally in manuscript conservation, is in teaching at all levels, currently especially primary... Read More →

Thursday January 9, 2025 09:45 - 10:35 GMT
Coates C22

Primary

Theme Practical Work
Key Stage / Audience Type ECTs, Global, Industry, Teacher Developers, 5 to 7, 7 to 11
Twitter feed @SphereScience

09:45 GMT

Using iPads to enhance Science teaching

Thursday January 9, 2025 09:45 - 10:35 GMT

Chemistry lab B5

Do you have sets of iPads that you are not sure how to include in your science lessons? Do you want to find out how technology can be used to enhance teaching and learning? We will show you some practical ways that you can use iPads within your science teaching. This session will leave you with ideas to use next week in your classroom.

Speakers

Tanya White

Associate Headteacher, Transform Trust

Associate Headteacher: Science Lead for the Transform Trust (MAT with 21 primary schools in Nottingham and Derby)

Phil Herd

Associate Headteacher, Transform Trust

Thursday January 9, 2025 09:45 - 10:35 GMT
Chemistry lab B5

Primary

Theme Curriculum and New Teaching Approaches
Key Stage / Audience Type ECTs, Teacher Developers, 5 to 7, 7 to 11
Twitter feed @MrsWhite1972

11:15 GMT

Scientist's Story Time - Unlocking Rich Contexts in Children's Literature

Thursday January 9, 2025 11:15 - 12:05 GMT

Coates C22

Rich contexts, taken from children’s literature, can be used to give pupils a purpose for scientific learning. Stories promote emotive responses - leading to children being more invested in their learning. By using drama conventions, children become real scientists; help well-known characters and understand the breadth of STEM careers available. In a post-lockdown world, this re-builds resilience, problem-solving, collaboration and metacognition.

In Ted Hughes’ The Iron Man, local farmers are outraged by a giant metal man destroying their livelihoods and are desperate for help. As electrical engineers, can pupils learn the substantive and disciplinary knowledge required to stop him in his tracks?

Delegates will step in to fictional contexts and solve problems as working scientists. During the workshop, they will learn how to carefully select age-appropriate texts for purpose and build a progressive sequence of substantive and disciplinary knowledge for a range of topics across the primary science curriculum. There will also be opportunities to consider wider, meaningful curriculum links and outdoor learning opportunities.

Speakers

Rebecca Riley

PSTT Fellow, Assistant Headteacher, Curriculum Lead, Enhance Academy Trust

Joshua Hammond

Enhance Academy Trust, Class Teacher, Maths and computing lead, Enhance Academy Trust

Thursday January 9, 2025 11:15 - 12:05 GMT
Coates C22

Primary

Theme Curriculum and New Teaching Approaches
Key Stage / Audience Type ECTs, Industry, Teacher Developers, Global, 0-4, 5 to 7, 7 to 11
Twitter feed @MissJRiley; @JhammondTeaches

11:15 GMT

Using CLEAPSS Primary activities to support learning

Thursday January 9, 2025 11:15 - 12:05 GMT

Pope A17

“I now understand that planning a practical lesson is nothing like planning an English lesson”. This revelatory quote comes from a Science Ninja Leader on our Science Ninja’s research project. Observing practical lessons, looking at pupil work and talking to teachers has shed light on many practical activities where the teachers recognised that their practical lessons did not support their intended learning. During this session we will share examples of pupil outcomes from some of these lessons.

Finding out what the teachers wanted from the activities and working with them to plan better lessons has provided us with a deep understanding of the kinds of support primary teachers need. In juxtaposition to the poor pupil outcomes shared, we will showcase activities we’ve since produced; explaining how we’ve incorporated the knowledge gained, through our research, so that they support teachers, in the ways we now know they need, to plan effective hands-on learning experiences.

Speakers

Jason Harding

Primary Section Leader, CLEAPSS

Maria Pack

Primary Science Consultant, CLEAPSS

Sally Fulford

Primary Consultant, CLEAPSS

Ex -secondary and primary science teacher now working (and loving my roles) as a consultant for Primary CLEAPSS, the Ogden Trust, PSQM, TAPS and more. Based in Devon.

Thursday January 9, 2025 11:15 - 12:05 GMT
Pope A17

Primary

Theme Practical Work
Key Stage / Audience Type ECTs, Global, Industry, Teacher Developers, 5 to 7, 7 to 11
Twitter feed @CLEAPSS_Primary

13:15 GMT

Engineering education in primary schools is going well when…

Thursday January 9, 2025 13:15 - 14:05 GMT

Pope LT C17

If you’re keen to identify the benefits and opportunities of taking an engineering-approach in your primary classroom, the Engineering in Primary School Stakeholder Group (EiPs) are the people to meet. A cross-sector group working to improve awareness and quality of provision through the mainstream and enrichment curriculum.

This is a one-stop shop for all you need to know about engineering education opportunities for 5-11 year olds.

Speakers

Lynne Bianchi

Professor / Director, SEERIH, University of Manchester

Vice Dean for Social Responsibility, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility Director of Science & Engineering Education Research and Innovation HubComino Foundation Associate Great Science Share for Schools Campaign Director Principal Fellow of the HEA RSA Fellow

Dan Powell

Head of NEON, Engineering UK

Thursday January 9, 2025 13:15 - 14:05 GMT
Pope LT C17

Primary

Theme Curriculum and New Teaching Approaches
Key Stage / Audience Type ECTs, Global, Industry, Teacher Developers, 5 to 7, 7 to 11
Twitter feed @Neon_Futures

13:15 GMT

How to develop exploratory talk

Thursday January 9, 2025 13:15 - 14:05 GMT

Coates C27

The session will give a brief overview of the Assessment Companion for Thinking Skills (ACTS) developed as part of a transnational Erasmus project. The main part of the workshop will be interactively using the Exploratory Talk Tool from this project and discussing how relevant this is to Science Teachers

Speakers

Alex Black

Owner, ABC-Learning

CASE materials https://community.letsthink.org.uk/

Thursday January 9, 2025 13:15 - 14:05 GMT
Coates C27

Primary

Theme Curriculum and New Teaching Approaches
Key Stage / Audience Type ECTs, Global, Teacher Developers, 5 to 7, 7 to 11
Twitter feed @alexbclearning

13:15 GMT

Science outside the primary classroom

Thursday January 9, 2025 13:15 - 14:05 GMT

Pope A17

Science outside the primary classroom: Supporting teacher trainees' skills in effective outdoor teaching and learning.

This project aimed to enhance the confidence, learning and teaching of students in ITT by understanding the benefits that outside learning opportunities provide schools and children. The research team analysed the responses of a confidence audit before/after a training intervention took place.

Working alongside Teach Outdoors Ltd, which aims to encourage educators to utilise their outside spaces and natural areas sustainably and effectively to teach the curriculum, we designed and piloted a blended training course for students working with school age children as part of their degree.

This gave students at Northampton University an opportunity to explore how an outdoor environment can be utilised to support child development and used as an active learning tool.

This session will allow delegates to explore the resources used and reflect on their own practice in teaching science outside the classroom.

Speakers

Helen Tiplady

Senior Lecturer in Education, University of Northampton

Helen is a Senior Lecturer in the Initial Teacher Training team in the Faculty of Health, Education and Society and is currently the Module Leader for the science modules, lectures on the Research Practitioner module and has been the Module Leader in designing and delivering a brand... Read More →

Emma Whewell

Associate Professor of Learning and Teaching, University of Northampton

Emma is the Deputy Head of Subject for Sport and Exercise at the University of Northampton. There are seven undergraduate degrees on offer (Physical Education and Sport, Sports Coaching, Sport and Exercise Science, Sports Management and Leadership, Sports Rehabilitation and Conditioning... Read More →

Thursday January 9, 2025 13:15 - 14:05 GMT
Pope A17

Primary

Theme Professional Journeys
Key Stage / Audience Type 5 to 7, 7 to 11, ECTs, Global, Industry, Teacher Developers
Twitter feed @UONPEemma; @helen_tiplady

14:15 GMT

Generative AI for Primary Science Teachers

Thursday January 9, 2025 14:15 - 15:05 GMT

Pope LT C15

This session will look at the range of AI tools available to Primary Science Teachers. It will look at how to use free tools such as ChatGPT and Copilot to help with planning and lesson resource creation. It will demonstrate some ways that AI can be used by primary pupils to support science learning. There will be suggestions for other free (or paid) AI tools that are available online that can support planning, teaching and learning. The session will look at the art of creating useful prompts to get the AI to do what you want.

The author of the new book "Science Fix: Science Made Easy for Primary Teachers", Danny Nicholson, will discuss how AI tools can help reduce teacher workload. You will leave equipped with a toolkit of AI resources and strategies to enrich your science curriculum and inspire curiosity in your students.

Speakers

Danny Nicholson

ITT Lecturer and Consultant, Think Bank Ltd

Danny Nicholson is an independent teacher trainer, author and consultant. He is a former science teacher and now delivers computing and science training to teachers all over the UK as well as overseas. He has been delivering initial teacher training to primary teachers for nearly... Read More →

Thursday January 9, 2025 14:15 - 15:05 GMT
Pope LT C15

Primary

Theme Using AI to deliver the science curriculum
Key Stage / Audience Type ECTs, Global, Teacher Developers, 5 to 7, 7 to 11
Twitter feed @dannynic

14:15 GMT

Like winning the lottery': CREST practical kit boxes - Maria Rossini

Thursday January 9, 2025 14:15 - 15:05 GMT

Coates C22

CREST Superstar activities have been well evaluated and respected for over 15 years, but time, resources and confidence are often barriers to teachers doing these impactful projects with their classes. Funded by the NCR foundation, the BSA sought to overcome these barriers by providing a holistic response through an 'everything' kit box.

This session will look at the activities, the kit provided and the feedback from teachers who have used the boxes so far. You'll have a chance to play, as well as find out how you might be able to get your hands on a (possibly free!) box for your school.

Speakers

Catherine Davies

Resources Manager, British Science Association

Thursday January 9, 2025 14:15 - 15:05 GMT
Coates C22

Primary

Theme Practical Work
Key Stage / Audience Type ECTs, Global, Industry, Teacher Developers, 7 to 11

15:45 GMT

Improving the Quality of Primary Science in the East Midlands.

Thursday January 9, 2025 15:45 - 16:35 GMT

Coates C22

Primary Science Quality Mark hub leaders from the East Midlands will share examples from schools across the region of the impact of the year-long, PSQM professional development and wider school improvement programme on science subject leadership, teaching and learning and curriculum design. The PSQM programme provides expert support to science subject leads to equip them to to identify development priorities and professional learning needs leading to a transformation of the quality and profile of science education in their schools. This session will showcase the impact of science subject leadership development in PSQM schools. Examples will include outcomes in areas such as using assessment to support learning, promoting inclusion and equity, connecting contexts and skills with other curriculum areas and real-world contexts, developing pupils’ scientific vocabulary, teaching the knowledge and skills required to work scientifically and ensuring the science curriculum engages, inspires and challenges all pupils through planned progression in content and procedural knowledge.

Speakers

Alex Farrer

PSQM Regional Lead (East Midlands), Primary Science Quality Mark

Science Lead at Wimbledon High Junior School/GDST. PSQM Regional Lead in the East Midlands and PSQM hub leader in SW London. Accredited trainer of the Primary Science Capital Teaching Approach. PSTT Fellow and co-author of the PSTT resources "See Through Science". and "Sketchbook... Read More →

Sarah Eames CSciTeach

Primary Teacher and PSTT Mentor, Sandfield Close Primary School

Primary Teacher - I love teaching; I also love being a fellow of the Primary Science Teaching Trust and working for them 1 day a week. Yes, the best of both worlds! Proud to be on the ASE Primary Committee.Padlet link for 2024ASE Primary Teachmeet 2024 (padlet.com)... Read More →

Tracy Tyrrell

Primary Science Consultant

Tracy began teaching in 2001 and, because of her background in research science, became the science lead at her school soon after. As a highly regarded new resource, the original AKSIS Project book featured heavily in the local authority training for science leads and the clever exercises... Read More →

Emma Twomey

Primary Teacher

Helen Tiplady

Senior Lecturer in Education, University of Northampton

Jane Winter

Professional Development Leader, University of York Centre for Industry Education Collaboration (CIEC)

I love everything to do with primary science, especially the Early Years Foundation Stage. My role at CIEC involves working with teachers to make science enjoyable and worthwhile for both them and their class. I run science and maths courses for Early Years teachers and science courses... Read More →

Thursday January 9, 2025 15:45 - 16:35 GMT
Coates C22

Primary

Theme Professional Journeys
Key Stage / Audience Type ECTs, Global, Teacher Developers, 0-4, 5 to 7, 7 to 11, Selected by Teacher Developers' Group
Twitter feed @Psqm_HQ

15:45 GMT

Introduction to Carbon Literacy for teachers

Thursday January 9, 2025 15:45 - 16:35 GMT

Pope A17

Drawing on the Carbon Literacy Project, come and learn what carbon literacy involves. More importantly, you will leave with some ideas for how you can make a difference to our planet.

Speakers

Tanya White

Associate Headteacher, Transform Trust

Associate Headteacher: Science Lead for the Transform Trust (MAT with 21 primary schools in Nottingham and Derby)

Thursday January 9, 2025 15:45 - 16:35 GMT
Pope A17

Primary

Theme Sustainability climate change & environmental issues
Key Stage / Audience Type ECTs, Global, Teacher Developers, 5 to 7, 7 to 11
Twitter feed @MrsWhite1972