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 for this year 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 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!

arrow_back View All Dates

08:45 GMT

Critical Thinkers Wanted: Transforming Science Education for the AI world

Saturday January 11, 2025 08:45 - 09:35 GMT

ESLC B07

Science is often on the back foot in terms of the availability and development of technology and assessments, the forgotten child behind English and Maths. The ever-changing world in which our learners will be entering is one where employers are now more interested in skills over experience. The analytical, logical and critical thinking skills required are all interwoven within the science curriculum – how can assessments provide actionable insights into knowledge, skills and ability, not only for academic success but also as a lifelong critical thinking scientist?

Speakers

Christopher Richards

Century Tech

Saturday January 11, 2025 08:45 - 09:35 GMT
ESLC B07

11-19

Key Stage / Audience Type ECTs, Global, Industry, Teacher Developers, 11-14, 14-16, Post-16, FE/Skills
Twitter feed @thisiscentury

09:45 GMT

IOP's Physics and Tea

Saturday January 11, 2025 09:45 - 11:15 GMT

Physics Building foyer

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

Ian Horsewell

Professional Community and Retention Strategic Lead, Institute of Physics

Sponsors

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

All

Theme Professional Journeys
Key Stage / Audience Type 5 to 7, 7 to 11, 11-14, 14-16, Post-16, ITEs, ECTs, FE/Skills, Advisors/Consultants, Technicians, Trainees

11:15 GMT

Chair Chat

Saturday January 11, 2025 11:15 - 11:45 GMT

Engineering & Science Learning Soft Chair area adjacent to ground floor atrium

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?

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

Speakers

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 →

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 →

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 →

Alex Sinclair

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

Saturday January 11, 2025 11:15 - 11:45 GMT
Engineering & Science Learning Soft Chair area adjacent to ground floor atrium

All

Theme Professional Journeys
Key Stage / Audience Type 0-4, 5 to 7, 7 to 11, 11-14, 14-16, Post-16, Advisors/Consultants, ECTs, FE/Skills, Global, Industry, ITEs, Technicians, Trainees
Twitter feed @theASE

11:15 GMT

Schools Exhibition

Saturday January 11, 2025 11:15 - 13:15 GMT

Chemistry Building Foyer

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

All

Theme Other
Key Stage / Audience Type 0-4, 5 to 7, 7 to 11, 11-14, 14-16, Post-16, ECTs, Advisors/Consultants, FE/Skills, Global, Industry, ITEs, Teacher Developers, Technicians, Trainees
Twitter feed @theASE

12:15 GMT

Science Education Beyond the Classroom

Saturday January 11, 2025 12:15 - 13:05 GMT

Pope LT C17

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

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

All

Theme Professional Journeys
Key Stage / Audience Type ECTs, Industry, Global, Selected by Teacher Developers' Group, Teacher Developers, 0-4, 5 to 7, 7 to 11, 11-14, 14-16, Post-16, FE/Skills, Advisors/Consultants

13:15 GMT

Panel: Practical work in a post-Covid era

Saturday January 11, 2025 13:15 - 14:05 GMT

Pope LT C17

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

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 →

Judith Hillier

Associate Professor of Education (Physics), Department of Education, University of Oxford

Dr Judith HillierAssociate Professor in Science Education (Physics)Deputy PGCE Course Director and lead PGCE Science tutorFellow of Kellogg CollegeFellow on the Institute of PhysicsRecipient of the 2021 Marie Curie-Sklodowska MedalLatest article Miller-Friedmann, J., Hillier, J... Read More →

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 →

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 →

Alistair Moore

University of York, Curriculum Specialist in Science Education, University of York

My research interests include school science curriculum development, effective formative and summative assessment, scientific literacy, student engagement with science, and teaching of difficult ideas in biology. I have extensive experience in the development of school science curricula... Read More →

Saturday January 11, 2025 13:15 - 14:05 GMT
Pope LT C17

11-19

Theme Research
Key Stage / Audience Type 11-14, 14-16, Post-16, Global, Advisors/Consultants, ITEs, FE/Skills, Industry, ECTs
Twitter feed @theASE

13:15 GMT

Keynote: Can Geology save the world?

Saturday January 11, 2025 13:15 - 14:05 GMT

Pope LT C15

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

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

All

Theme Sustainability climate change & environmental issues
Key Stage / Audience Type 0-4, 5 to 7, 7 to 11, 11-14, 14-16, Post-16, ITEs, ECTs, Advisors/Consultants, Teacher Developers, Technicians, Global, FE/Skills, Trainees