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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In this talk I will introduce the exciting role that AI is taking “behind the scenes” in science. In the media we often see incredible (and sometimes worrying..) demonstrations of chat bots, image generation, and even AI music. It’s easy to think that AI just solves these problems, but this is rarely the case. Outside of fun pictures it’s not always clear how we can use these tools to solve real world problems in other disciplines. This talk will examine some of the key approaches in modern AI, looking past the hype to how they can be repurposed into useful tools for science.
We will examine how generative AI approaches can be used to perform optical correction in microscope images, potentially unlocking new approaches to harmless imaging through skin to diagnose diseases in the human body. We will explore the challenges of capturing images through skin, of distortions and how me might begin to correct these. This is real challenge, and one that requires many different experts in many different fields. We don’t solve this problem with AI alone, despite how exciting people make it sound.
This project uses new kinds of laser light to penetrate deeper, new kinds of optical systems that (using AI) adapts to challenging images in real time. It needs chemists to design artificial tissue with realistic properties on which we can test, and doctors with expertise in disease diagnosis. In this talk, I hope to convince you not only that AI and computer science are fantastic, but that interdisciplinary research is the most exciting kind!
How clean is the air that surrounds you where you live or that you breathe on your walk to school or work? Are there as many insects as there should there be in your garden or local park and does this number matter? These kinds of starter questions have been used successfully to engage participants throughout the UK in a Citizen Science initiative called the ‘Open Air Laboratories Project’. Insights gained have helped shape the creation and implementation of scientific learning resources that can be adapted for use in diverse groups and settings, to improve understanding not only of our environment, but of more complex ideas such as ‘connectivity’ and ‘change’.
Electron Microscopy (EM) is a powerful tool that reveals structures at the micro and nanoscales, offering a unique window into the microscopic world. Despite its transformative capabilities, EM remains relatively unknown outside of academic circles, with minimal exposure in standard school curricula—briefly touched on at A-level biology. Yet, its potential to enhance learning goes far beyond the sciences. Imagine teaching cell biology by showing real EM images of different cell types, or bringing abstract concepts to life in subjects like history with stunning details of ancient glass.
Under the Microscope is a public engagement initiative designed around a simple yet exciting question: "What would you like to see imaged at the microscale?" This talk explores how EM can break down barriers and captivate diverse audiences. Since its inception in 2023, it has evolved from being purely online to being shown on TV, going international, and reaching local communities including children from SEND backgrounds.
Join Dr. Luke Norman as he demonstrates how a single concept can be adapted to reach different audiences through creative mediums. Like Ant-Man, get ready to shrink down and explore the fascinating world at the nanoscale, where every detail tells a story.
