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

Good Practical Science: using formative assessment techniques to help students prepare for exams

Friday January 10, 2025 08:45 - 09:35 GMT

Pope LT C17

Teachers often use formative assessment activities in science lessons to find out what students already know and understand but the same approach can be usefully used in practical lessons as well to identify ideas and misconceptions about skills and processes. This session will examine how such activities can be devised.

Speakers

Ed Walsh

Science Education Consultant, Ed Walsh Consulting

An author and CPD presenter, I was a teacher for 20 years, 12 of them as team leader. I then worked as a consultant, supporting teachers and science teams, training teachers and developing curriculum materials. I am now a Series Editor for Collins, CPD Trainer for AQA and Development... Read More →

Marianne Cutler

Director, Policy and Curriculum Innovation, ASE

Marianne has overall responsibility for curriculum support and projects at the ASE. She works closely with ASE committees and manages professional development projects.

Friday January 10, 2025 08:45 - 09:35 GMT
Pope LT C17

11-19

Theme Assessment
Key Stage / Audience Type 14-16, 11-14, Teacher Developers, ECTs
ECTs Themed sessions ECTs Practical Work

11:15 GMT

CLEAPSS Hands-on Workshop drop-in

Friday January 10, 2025 11:15 - 12:05 GMT

ESLC A09 A

A chance to gets hands-on making equipment and carrying out the latest CLEAPSS practicals

Speakers

Matt Endean

Deputy Director, CLEAPSS

Friday January 10, 2025 11:15 - 12:05 GMT
ESLC A09 A

11-19

Theme Practical Work
Key Stage / Audience Type 11-14, 14-16, Post-16, Technicians
Twitter feed @CLEAPSS
ECTs Themed sessions ECTs Practical Work

11:15 GMT

Using microscale to develop experiments with purpose

Friday January 10, 2025 11:15 - 12:05 GMT

Chemistry lab B5

Despite recent efforts from Ofqual to raise the profile of experiments in terminal GCSE assessments, recent research reviews from Ofsted suggest that teachers frequently focus on substantive knowledge at the expense of detailed understanding of the experimental skills (the working scientifically skills) required to undertake scientific enquiry. Consequently, research nationally and internationally suggests that teachers adopt recipe-style experiments restricting students' curiosity and scientific understanding.

Microscale experiments offer an affordable and safe pedagogic strategy to support teachers move beyond a recipe-based approach to experimentation and support teachers diagnose and challenge the misconceptions held by students. Moreover, our recent research has shown that offering early career teachers professional development, including microscale experiments within their teaching practice, can be revolutionary. However, teachers are yet to adopt microscale experiments readily, given concerns about compliance with terminal examinations.

Through a suite of hands on minds on microscale experiments, this interactive practical session explores how microscale experiments can support delegates to develop enquiry skills as part of their everyday teaching practice. We offer a range of microscale practicals that align with the required practicals in the GCSE and A-level chemistry curricula in England. In doing so, we provide guidance that supports delegates to center working scientifically skills in their teaching and support their students' understanding of the practical components of the chemistry curriculum in England. By attending this workshop, delegates will uncover the power of microscale experiments. Delegates will examine how microscale practicals are valuable time-saving tools that act as a springboard to develop oracy in their classroom. To support delegates embed microscale practicals in their teaching, each attendee will receive copies of 7 GCSE and 4 A-level microscale experimental methods and accompanying worksheets.

Speakers

Robert Campbell

Course Lead PGCE Secondary Science, St Mary's University Twickenham

I am a lecturer in secondary and primary science, having recently spent 10 years teaching in secondary.As a chemistry teacher I am particularly interested in the understanding of symbolism in science education. I completed my masters in how students justify organic chemistry mechanisms... Read More →

Barbara Pearce

St Mary's University Twickenham

Friday January 10, 2025 11:15 - 12:05 GMT
Chemistry lab B5

11-19

Theme Practical Work
Key Stage / Audience Type ECTs, Global, Teacher Developers, 14-16, Technicians, Trainees, ITEs, Advisors/Consultants
Twitter feed @stmaryssecsci
ECTs Themed sessions ECTs Practical Work

12:15 GMT

CLEAPSS Hands-on Workshop drop-in

Friday January 10, 2025 12:15 - 13:05 GMT

ESLC A09 A

A chance to gets hands-on making equipment and carrying out the latest CLEAPSS practicals

Speakers

Matt Endean

Deputy Director, CLEAPSS

Friday January 10, 2025 12:15 - 13:05 GMT
ESLC A09 A

11-19

Theme Practical Work
Key Stage / Audience Type 11-14, 14-16, Post-16, Technicians
Twitter feed @CLEAPSS
ECTs Themed sessions ECTs Practical Work

12:15 GMT

Good practical science: planning for progression

Friday January 10, 2025 12:15 - 13:05 GMT

Pope LT C17

Practical work in KS3 Science is often framed as an activity and may not represent good progression from the primary phase. This workshop will propose a way of ensuring students are challenged and supported to develop their skills and understanding of Working Scientifically, building foundations for GCSE.

Speakers

Marianne Cutler

Director, Policy and Curriculum Innovation, ASE

Marianne has overall responsibility for curriculum support and projects at the ASE. She works closely with ASE committees and manages professional development projects.

Ed Walsh

Science Education Consultant, Ed Walsh Consulting

Friday January 10, 2025 12:15 - 13:05 GMT
Pope LT C17

11-19

Theme Practical Work
Key Stage / Audience Type 11-14, 14-16, ECTs, Teacher Developers
ECTs Themed sessions ECTs Practical Work

12:15 GMT

SAPS: Biology practicals that work drop-in session

Friday January 10, 2025 12:15 - 13:05 GMT

ESLC A09 B

Drop-in anytime to try our reliable practicals demonstrating core biological principles. Discover relevant, engaging and affordable practicals covering a range of key curriculum topics. Try something new or troubleshoot an old favourite, join us for ten minutes or two hours. Inspiration guaranteed! (For 11-19 teachers and technicians; ITE and trainees)

This session relates to the ASE Book Teaching Secondary Biology - click here to be directed to the resource in the ASE Bookshop and explore further details

Speakers

Alex Jenkin

Project Manager, Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS)

Alex project manages the Science and Plants for Schools project, overseeing SAPS’ attendance at the ASE Annual Conference and managing the development of our free teaching resources. Alex is keen to explore how plants can be used as examples across biology, not just in traditional... Read More →

Dan Jenkins

Head of Gatsby Plant Education Programme, Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS)

Dan is Head of the Gatsby Plant Science Education Programme and directs the Science and Plants for Schools project. For over 10 years Dan has developed practicals and resources for SAPS and is a dab hand at getting any plant to behave in the school lab. Dan’s background in plant... Read More →

Gail Webdell

Science Technician, SAPS

Gail officially joined SAPS in March 2020 but has been a keen enthusiast and support to SAPS for many years. She has worked with the team during our Train the Trainer events and demonstrated with us at the Association for Science Education (ASE) annual conferences on numerous occasions... Read More →

Friday January 10, 2025 12:15 - 13:05 GMT
ESLC A09 B

11-19

Theme Practical Work
Key Stage / Audience Type 11-14, 14-16, Post-16, Advisors/Consultants, Trainees, Technicians
ECTs Themed sessions ECTs Practical Work

14:15 GMT

(Early Career) Teachers and Technicians - working together

Friday January 10, 2025 14:15 - 15:05 GMT

ESLC B01

Join the past Chair of the ASE's National Technician Committee for insights into school science technicians and teachers working together - how they collaborate to optimise best working practices!

Speakers

Jane Oldham

Lead Science Technician and Chair of ASE, De Ferrers Academy and Association for Science Education

Currently Chair of the ASE and the Lead Science Technician at the de Ferrers Academy, a large multi-site academy in the Midlands. Jane has been a Science Technician for 18 years, currently leading a team of 6 technicians, where she specialises in supporting KS4 and KS5 chemistry... Read More →

Friday January 10, 2025 14:15 - 15:05 GMT
ESLC B01

11-19