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ASE 2025 Annual Conference
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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Saturday, January 11
 

08:45 GMT

GCSE Required Practicals - what have the past years taught us?
Saturday January 11, 2025 08:45 - 09:35 GMT
Required Practicals (or core practicals) have been a part of GCSE science courses since 2018. This session looks back at why they were introduced, what knowledge and understanding they are meant to develop in students and how this is assessed in exams. We will look at how well students perform in these exams, and what lessons this can teach us about these practicals should be delivered as part of a science curriculum.
Speakers
avatar for Euan Douglas

Euan Douglas

Assistant Head Teacher, St George's Catholic College
I am an Senior Assistant Headteacher responsible for Teaching & Learning and the curriculum at Saint George Catholic College, an Outstanding comprehensive school in Southampton. My involvement with the ASE includes being a member of both my regional committee and previously the 11-19... Read More →
Saturday January 11, 2025 08:45 - 09:35 GMT
ESLC B01

09:45 GMT

Using an interdisciplinary approach to evaluate models in KS3 science
Saturday January 11, 2025 09:45 - 10:35 GMT
The use of models in science teaching and learning is a core practice. Given that many science concepts are abstract, too  big or too small to visualise readily, models allow  students to develop their knowledge of key ideas in science . Conversely, a lack of understanding about models, their uses and limitations can develop or perpetuate misconceptions across science (Education Endowment Foundation, 2018).

A lesson study is presented here, which investigates how the concept of a model can be taught by employing an interdisciplinary approach. Interdisciplinary learning is where new approaches to solving a problem, and/or new understandings of a concept are ‘synthesised’ through the benefit of integrating knowledge from different disciplines: a new way of thinking is created by considering a problem from multiple disciplinary perspectives (Simpson and Dawkins, 2023). The lesson study used examples of models from chemistry, biology, physics, maths, geography, and English alongside teaching practices designed to facilitate the integration of these different disciplinary perspectives. The presentation includes an analysis of feedback from the students in the lesson and their teachers. This study has been approved by the University of Birmingham Humanities and Social Sciences Ethics Review Committee (ERN_0808-Jun2023).

Delegates will have the opportunity to hear about a successful collaboration between a secondary school and university, and an opportunity to reflect on the impact of bringing practicing teachers, teacher educators and researchers together. Given the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in international curricula, including the International Baccalaureate , this presentation will also be of interest to both UK and international audiences. Delegates will understand better the concept of interdisciplinary learning through this lesson study approach and will hopefully be inspired to develop their own cross-disciplinary learning opportunities in their school or educational setting. All delegates will benefit from the opportunity to discuss, reflect on, and debate the shared difficulties in teaching students the role of models in science.

References
Education Endowment Foundation. 2018. Improving Secondary Science. https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/guidance-reports/science-ks3-ks4
Simpson, M., Dawkins, D. (2023). A framework for interdisciplinary learning in science education. SSR in Depth, 104(388), 13-18. https://www.ase.org.uk/resources/school-science-review/issue-388/framework-interdisciplinary-learning-in-science-education
Speakers
DD

Donna Dawkins

Principal Investigator, University of Birmingham
MS

Matthew Simpson

Lead Investigator
Saturday January 11, 2025 09:45 - 10:35 GMT
Physics B23

09:45 GMT

Frontier Science: What are executive functions and how do they help children learn maths and science?
Saturday January 11, 2025 09:45 - 10:35 GMT
Executive functions are a set of cognitive skills that help us to guide and control our attention, thoughts and behaviour in order to think flexibly, work towards goals and ignore distractions. They develop slowly throughout childhood and adolescence but there can also be considerable variation between individuals.

Executive functions are consistent predictors of academic outcomes, such that a child with good executive functions is likely to do well at school. In this session I will review our recent research investigating the role that different aspects of executive function play in maths and science learning at primary and secondary level and make some suggestions about both what can, and what can’t, be done in the classroom to support these important learning skills.
Speakers
avatar for Lucy Cragg

Lucy Cragg

Professor of Developmental Psychology, University of Nottingham
I study how attention and short-term memory skills develop and change across the lifespan. I am particularly interested in how children's attention and short-term memory skills support their learning in the classroom (https://thesumproject.wordpress.com/), as well as how attentio... Read More →
Saturday January 11, 2025 09:45 - 10:35 GMT
Coates C22

09:45 GMT

IOP's Physics and Tea
Saturday January 11, 2025 09:45 - 11:15 GMT
The IOP is delighted to be hosting these informal tea and cake sessions for anyone interested in delivering physics education!  Pop along, eat, drink and chat - we look forward to welcoming you.
Speakers
IH

Ian Horsewell

Professional Community and Retention Strategic Lead, Institute of Physics
Sponsors
avatar for Institute of Physics

Institute of Physics

The Institute of Physics (IOP) is the professional body and learned society for physics in the UK and Ireland, with an active role in promoting co-operation in physics around the world. We strive to make physics accessible to people from all backgrounds.  Come along and visit an... Read More →
Saturday January 11, 2025 09:45 - 11:15 GMT
Physics Building foyer

10:45 GMT

Tea Break and Exhibition
Saturday January 11, 2025 10:45 - 11:15 GMT
Saturday January 11, 2025 10:45 - 11:15 GMT

10:45 GMT

Mobile Planetarium visits
Saturday January 11, 2025 10:45 - 15:15 GMT
Dan is delighted to be offering planetarium sessions - each session will be 15 minutes long (no shorter than 35 minutes to include H&S and entering) and proposed timings are below:

10:45
11:30
12:15
13:00
13:45
14:30


Speakers
DD

Dr Daniel Brown

Associate Professor in Astronomy and Science Communication, Nottingham Trent University, Department of Physics and Mathematical Sciences
Dr Daniel BrownAssociate Professor in Astronomy and Science CommunicationPhysics and Mathematical SciencesSchool of Science & TechnologyOffice: ERD 179 Nottingham Trent University@AstroDanNTU Nottingham NG11 8NS UK
Saturday January 11, 2025 10:45 - 15:15 GMT
ESLC Foyer on Ground Floor

11:15 GMT

Chair Chat
Our dedicated Chair Trio invite you to drop-in to the “Chair-Chat” sessions on one of the days of Annual Conference 2025.

Got a question? Ever wondered about what goes on behind the scenes? Ever thought about getting involved in Committee activities? Are you wanting to know more about Professional Registration or writing an article in one of the ASE journals? First time attending our flagship Conference?

If this is your first ASE Conference, then please come along and say Hello.

We look forward to hearing your questions and will endeavour to answer them or point you in a selection of possible right directions!
Speakers
avatar for David Allen

David Allen

Associate Professor Learning and Teaching / Chair Elect for the ASE 24-25, University of Hertfordshire & Creative Primary Science Education Consultancy
I worked in primary schools for over twenty years as a classteacher, senior leader and Deputy Headteacher. I taught across Key stages 1, 2 and 3 in UK and in Spain. During this time I developed a passion for science, art and design, improvised drama, assessment for learning, creativity... Read More →
avatar for Professor Leigh Hoath

Professor Leigh Hoath

ITE Lecturer and ASE Co Chair, Leeds Trinity University, United Kingdom
Professor Leigh Hoath leads science education at Leeds Trinity University in the UK as Deputy Dean of Faculty, and is the co-founder of an organisation leading curriculum development concerning climate change education (Climate Adapted Pathways for Education - CAPE). She is the outgoing... Read More →
avatar for Jane Oldham

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 →
avatar for Alex Sinclair

Alex Sinclair

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

11:15 GMT

PLANning for progression in the working scientifically skills
Saturday January 11, 2025 11:15 - 12:05 GMT
"Leaders' plans to develop pupils’ disciplinary knowledge were usually much less developed than their plans to develop pupils’ substantive knowledge. In general, not enough consideration was given to identifying the disciplinary knowledge, including concepts, that are needed to work scientifically. This limited how effectively leaders could plan a curriculum for pupils to get better at working scientifically over time" - Finding the optimum, Ofsted, February 2023

The PLAN Knowledge Matrices and Examples of Work have successfully supported teachers to plan and confidently assess the substantive knowledge in the National Curriculum in England for Key Stages 1 & 2. In this session, new analogous PLAN resources will be used to demonstrate what working at the expected standard in the working scientifically skills for different year-groups looks like, so teachers can plan appropriate outcomes and make robust assessment judgements.

During the session, the National Curriculum in England working scientifically statements will be broken down so participants understand how different working scientifically skills progress from one phase to the next with examples to illustrate this progression.

Delegates who participate in the session will:

•access resources that will support the teaching and assessment of the working scientifically skills
•understand how the different working scientifically skills progress between phases
•be shown what pupils’ work that meets the expectations looks like for the different working scientifically skills in different phases.
Speakers
avatar for Naomi Hiscock

Naomi Hiscock

Director, Primary STEM Education Consultancy
Naomi has almost 20 years’ experience as a primary STEM education consultant and is Director of Primary STEM Education Consultancy, one of the most successful specialist primary STEM education consultancies in England. It provides advice to national bodies, local authorities, education partnerships and multi-academy trusts on devising and implementing strategies for primary science and D&T, as well as working... Read More →
Saturday January 11, 2025 11:15 - 12:05 GMT
ESLC B01

11:15 GMT

Schools Exhibition
Saturday January 11, 2025 11:15 - 13:15 GMT
The ASE Schools’ Exhibition has become one of the most popular elements of the ASE Annual Conference every January. Schools from all sectors of education are invited to present a science project happening in their classrooms or science/STEM clubs. One teacher from each school is invited to provide a display, which can include artefacts and/or posters illustrating their school project, and is invited to talk about their project. Up to 2 pupils can accompany their teacher to help demonstrate their activities and talk about their school project.

Come along to the Schools' Exhibition to chat with the project leaders and educators, and find out more what has been going on in other schools and STEM clubs.
Saturday January 11, 2025 11:15 - 13:15 GMT
Chemistry Building Foyer

12:15 GMT

Science Education Beyond the Classroom
Saturday January 11, 2025 12:15 - 13:05 GMT
Have you recently left the classroom, or perhaps considering alternative career paths in science education? Maybe you are considering part time with a related role elsewhere. There is an increasing rise in the ‘portfolio’ career for educators. Come along to this discussion to consider the risks, opportunities, pros and cons of diversifying beyond the classroom. If you have already developed this sort of career come along and share your experiences.
Speakers
avatar for Joanna Pellereau

Joanna Pellereau

Teaching Fellow, University of Warwick
Having been a physics teacher and Head of Department for over a decade, I am now a teaching fellow at the Centre for Teacher Education at the University of Warwick. I am also a University Lead Mentor at the National Institute of Teaching and Education at Coventry University. I also... Read More →
Saturday January 11, 2025 12:15 - 13:05 GMT
Pope LT C17

13:15 GMT

Panel: Practical work in a post-Covid era
Saturday January 11, 2025 13:15 - 14:05 GMT
In 2023, we had the third Science Education Tracker which surveys young people’s views and experiences of science education in England and their attitudes towards science and to career aspirations in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The findings of this survey are quite concerning. Between 2016 and 2023, there has been a marked reduction in young people’s access to more interactive forms of practical science, with these trends most accentuated between 2019 and 2023. While we know experience of hands-on practical work is key to learning and motivating students in science, most students in 2023 encountered practical work via videos. The survey also showed that, between 2019 and 2023, young people were less interested in science and computing with this decline in interest being more pronounced among younger cohort

Join in with this panel session chaired by David Montagu from the Royal Society, to hear the perspectives of experts with a wealth of experience in science education, on the decline of practical work post-covid and ideas of how we might address this in our schools and colleges.
Speakers
avatar for David Montagu

David Montagu

Senior Policy Advisor, Education, The Royal Society
David is a Senior Policy Adviser in the Royal Society’s Education team, and has worked on science, mathematics and computing education policy for over 15 years. He is the project lead on the Science Education Tracker and lead author of Practical inquiry in secondary science edu... Read More →
avatar for Steve Jones

Steve Jones

Director, CLEAPSS
Steve taught science in secondary schools for 28 years before moving into advisory work, initially for Hertfordshire and then as a regional adviser for the Secondary National Strategy - Always passionate about practical work Steve believes that hands-on activities are quite simply... Read More →
avatar for Ed Walsh

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 →
avatar for Alistair Moore

Alistair Moore

Research Fellow, University of York Science Education Group, University of York
Co-Director of the Best Evidence Science Teaching (BEST) project, and specialist in applied research and innovative development in school science curriculum and assessment. My areas of interest include school science curriculum development, practical work, formative and summative... Read More →
Saturday January 11, 2025 13:15 - 14:05 GMT
Pope LT C17
  11-19

13:15 GMT

Keynote: Can Geology save the world?
Saturday January 11, 2025 13:15 - 14:05 GMT
Geologists just look at rocks, right? In this talk, I’ll invite you to reimagine the almost unimaginable ways in which geology shapes our lives, livelihoods, and Labour's red wall. I’ll show how many of the great social, environmental and economic challenges of the 21st Century require the work of Geoscientists…
Speakers
CA

Christopher Aiden-Lee Jackson

Professor of Basin Analysis, Imperial College London (Dept of Earth Science & Engineering)
Chris Jackson is Technical Director at the engineering consultancy WSP and Visiting Professor of Basin Analysis at Imperial College London. Chris works in the general area of sedimentary basin analysis. When not studying the subsurface of the Earth, Chris gives geoscience lectures... Read More →
Saturday January 11, 2025 13:15 - 14:05 GMT
Pope LT C15

13:15 GMT

Yes you can!
Saturday January 11, 2025 13:15 - 15:05 GMT
A series of practical demonstrations showing how to carry out safely a selection of practical activities often mistakenly thought to be banned or restricted in school science.
Speakers
avatar for Peter Borrows

Peter Borrows

Member of ASE's H&S Group / Consultant / Former Director of CLEAPSS, Troye Scientific
Retired(ish) Director of CLEAPSS.Member since 1966, and former Chair, of ASE Safety in Science Group (and its predecessors).Author of 54 articles in Education in Chemistry between 1994 and 2012 on chemistry outdoors, two in School Science Review [(1984), The Pimlico chemistry trail... Read More →
RW

Ralph Whitcher

Chair of Health & Safety Committee, ASE
Saturday January 11, 2025 13:15 - 15:05 GMT
Chemistry Lab C10 B

14:15 GMT

Using ChatGPT to prepare science lessons: teacher experiences and impact
Saturday January 11, 2025 14:15 - 15:05 GMT
There is widespread interest among teachers in using Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT to support lesson planning, to reduce teacher workload and to enhance lesson variety and quality. This session presents the findings of research exploring the experience and impact of over 100 secondary science teachers who used ChatGPT to prepare Year 7/8 lessons in the summer term 2024. This research was a randomised controlled trial, commissioned by the EEF and co-funded by the Hg Foundation.

The session will explore:
-the impact of using ChatGPT on teacher workload and lesson quality, compared with a comparison group who used no Generative AI
-how teachers integrated ChatGPT into their planning processes and the tasks/activities they used ChatGPT for
-teachers’ perceptions of using ChatGPT and intentions for future use
-teachers’ experiences of learning to use ChatGPT

Web address included here (as it will not fit in the box below): https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/projects-and-evaluation/projects/choices-in-edtech-using-generative-ai-chatgpt-for-ks3-science-lesson-preparation-2024-teacher-choices-trial
Speakers
PR

Palak Roy

Senior Trials Manager, NFER
Saturday January 11, 2025 14:15 - 15:05 GMT
ESLC B01

15:15 GMT

Tea Break and Exhibition
Saturday January 11, 2025 15:15 - 15:30 GMT
Saturday January 11, 2025 15:15 - 15:30 GMT

15:30 GMT

Maths skills of trainee science teachers: help us develop an audit tool!
Saturday January 11, 2025 15:30 - 16:20 GMT
Our previous survey of Science Initial Teacher Training providers and their trainees in England, conducted during 2023 showed that there is a systemic lack of focus on mathematical skills in science Initial Teacher Training.  As a result of this work, the authors are developing a freely available targeted maths resource to support pre-service science teachers during their training year.  

During this structured workshop, the authors will share the audit being developed, the results of initial testing and seek your input to the signposting of external resources which will support trainee teachers to further develop their science specific maths skills.

Help us to select and match the best resources to each maths skill.

This session relates to the books sold by ASE/Millgate titled the Language of Maths in Science and Grappling with Graphs.
Speakers
avatar for Dr Liz Nourshargh

Dr Liz Nourshargh

Educational Consultant, N2Scientific
avatar for Caroline Neuberg

Caroline Neuberg

Leeds Trinity University, Senior Lecturer in Secondary Education Twitter, Leeds Trinity University
Saturday January 11, 2025 15:30 - 16:20 GMT
Coates C22

15:30 GMT

Work smart, not hard: retrieval practice and metacognition
Saturday January 11, 2025 15:30 - 16:20 GMT
This engaging workshop led by the dynamic Sam Holyman will delve into the transformative power of retrieval practice to save teachers time while improving student outcomes. Delegates will learn to evaluate the use of retrieval practice in the classroom and understand how it significantly enhances student learning and retention. Retrieval practice involves actively recalling information, which strengthens memory and aids in transferring knowledge to long-term storage. It helps students become more adept at remembering and applying what they learn. This session will begin with an evaluation of the effectiveness of retrieval practice based on research, including a consideration of different types of retrieval practice and their relative merits.

A key feature of this session is demonstrating how quizzes can be a cornerstone of retrieval practice. Sam will provide a practical, interactive demonstration of how quizzes can be used not just as assessment tools, but as powerful instruments for fostering student metacognition. Delegates will see how quizzes help students reflect on their learning processes, identify knowledge gaps, and develop improvement strategies. This metacognitive approach encourages students to take ownership of their learning, leading to greater academic success.

The session will also explore how quizzes can serve as diagnostic tools to identify student concerns and inform classroom practice. By analysing quiz results, teachers gain valuable insights into students' understanding and misconceptions. This data-driven approach allows for more targeted and effective teaching interventions, ensuring every student receives the support they need to succeed.

This session is highly interactive, combining discussion, group work, and live demonstrations to create a rich CPD experience. Delegates will have the opportunity to collaborate with fellow educators, share their experiences, and gain new perspectives on best practices in teaching.

Leading this workshop is Sam Holyman CSciTeach, an explosive Chemistry teacher with a wealth of experience in various educational settings, including comprehensive, grammar, and independent schools in the Midlands. Sam is also a prolific academic author with over 30 titles published by renowned publishers such as OUP, Pearson, and Collins. Her extensive catalogue includes print and digital textbooks, worksheets, and opinion blogs, catering to UK specifications and beyond.

This session is supported by Educake, which provides online homework and revision for many KS3 and GCSE subjects. It is based on a bank of about 100,000 specification-mapped questions that are automatically marked and give instant feedback to students. These questions, written by teachers and specialist subject editors, range from multiple choice to one-to-three-word answers.

This not-to-be-missed session promises to be both inspiring and practical, equipping attendees with the tools to make a real difference in students' learning journeys.
Speakers
avatar for Sam Holyman

Sam Holyman

Science teacher, author and consultant, Educake
I am a chemistry teacher who has worked at management level in a variety of settings including comprehensive, grammar and independent schools in the Midlands. I am also an academic author with over 30 published titles. I have an interest in innovative pedagogy and am a keen advocate... Read More →
Sponsors
avatar for Educake

Educake

Educake is an award-winning online assessment and revision platform for KS2, KS3 and GCSE. Educake can help you do more teaching, by saving you time on setting homework, marking and analysing results: specification-matched tests can be set in seconds. You get immediate insights into... Read More →
Saturday January 11, 2025 15:30 - 16:20 GMT
ESLC C13
 

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