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

Affective connection with science through Open Schooling and Storytelling

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

Coates C22

How does the CONNECT-science questionnaire assess students' emotional connection to science, while open schooling activities and the captivating story "Our Green Library: CARE-KNOW-DO" ignites their passion and fosters scientific knowledge and action?

This research is part of the EU-funded project CONNECT-science.net and the UK Green-Forum involving primary and secondary schools.

Speakers

Alexandra Okada

Senior Research Fellow, The Open University

Dr. Alexandra Okada is the scientific coordinator of the EU funded project CONNECT - open schooling and principal investigator of OLAF - Online Learning and Fun. She is an educational senior researcher at the Open University UK, a senior fellow of the Higher Education Academy and... Read More →

Saturday January 11, 2025 08:45 - 09:35 GMT
Coates C22

All

Theme Using AI to deliver the science curriculum
Key Stage / Audience Type ECTs, Global, Industry, Teacher Developers, 7 to 11, 11-14

09:45 GMT

Practical approaches to teaching AI in Primary Schools

Saturday January 11, 2025 09:45 - 10:35 GMT

ESLC B04

A hands on session looking at ideas for teaching upper primary children about how AI works in different contexts. The session includes:

- Applications of AI
- AI safety in schools
- Exploring BIG Data applications
- Unplugged activities to explore how AI works
- Benefits of AI
- AI ethics
- Environmental impacts of AI

A set of tried and tested resources will be showcased, and shared, designed specifically to support primary aged children develop their understanding of all aspects of AI.

Speakers

Paul Tyler

Owner / Director, My Science Club

Primary school teacher and Science Coordinator in a large primary school just outside Glasgow. Interested in all things primary science, Science Capital transitions to secondary and anything to do with Topical Science and Citizen Science. I produce a monthly Topical Science Update... Read More →

Saturday January 11, 2025 09:45 - 10:35 GMT
ESLC B04

Primary

Theme Using AI to deliver the science curriculum
Key Stage / Audience Type ECTs, Industry, Global, Teacher Developers, 7 to 11, 11-14
Twitter feed @glazgow

11:15 GMT

Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Science Education in Middle School years

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

Coates C27

Objectives:
Understand AI Fundamentals: Provide a clear understanding of basic AI concepts, including machine learning, neural networks, and data analysis, tailored to the middle school context.
Explore AI Applications in Science Education: Demonstrate specific AI tools and applications that can be used to enhance science instruction and engage students.
Develop Practical Skills: Offer hands-on experience with AI resources and activities that educators can directly implement in their classrooms.
Address Ethical Considerations: Discuss the ethical implications of AI use in education, focusing on data privacy and bias, and how to navigate these challenges responsibly.
Workshop Structure:
Introduction to AI in Education (20 minutes):
Brief overview of AI and its relevance to modern education.
Discussion on the potential benefits and challenges of incorporating AI into the science curriculum.
Interactive Demonstrations of AI Tools (30 minutes):
Showcasing AI applications such as virtual labs, intelligent tutoring systems, and data analysis platforms.
Live demonstrations on how these tools can simulate scientific experiments, provide personalized feedback, and enhance data literacy.
Hands-On Activities (25 minutes):
Participants will engage in interactive exercises using AI tools.
Group activities where educators can brainstorm and design lesson plans incorporating AI technologies.
Sharing of best practices and innovative ideas for classroom implementation.
Ethical Considerations and Open Discussion (10 minutes):
Addressing the ethical issues surrounding AI in education, including privacy concerns and algorithmic bias.
Encouraging critical thinking and discussion among participants on how to ethically integrate AI in their teaching practices.
Q&A and Closing Remarks (5 minutes):
Open floor for questions and discussion to clarify doubts and provide additional insights.
Summary of key takeaways and resources for further learning.
Target Audience: Middle school science educators, curriculum developers, and educational technology specialists who are interested in integrating AI into their teaching practices to foster a more engaging and effective learning environment.
Materials Provided:
Detailed handouts on AI concepts and tools.
Access to an online repository of resources, including lesson plans, software recommendations, and further reading materials.
Conclusion: This workshop aims to empower middle school educators with the knowledge and skills to effectively integrate AI into their science classrooms. By providing practical tools and fostering a deeper understanding of AI's potential, we can inspire educators to enhance their teaching practices and better prepare students for the future.

Speakers

Tammie Schrader

ex NSTA President (America)

Saturday January 11, 2025 11:15 - 12:05 GMT
Coates C27

11-19

Theme Using AI to deliver the science curriculum
Key Stage / Audience Type ECTs, Global, Industry, Teacher Developers, 11-14

14:15 GMT

Using ChatGPT to prepare science lessons: teacher experiences and impact

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

ESLC B01

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

Katherine Aston

NFER

Palak Roy

Senior Trials Manager, NFER

Saturday January 11, 2025 14:15 - 15:05 GMT
ESLC B01

11-19

Theme Using AI to deliver the science curriculum
Key Stage / Audience Type ECTs, Global, Teacher Developers, 11-14, 14-16, Advisors/Consultants, ITEs, Trainees

14:15 GMT

Keynote: AI and the Science Teacher

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

Pope LT C17

This session looks at how AI can support accessibility and inclusion in science teaching.

Miles will begin the keynote with a quick introduction to the foundations of generative AI, before demonstrating some of the practical ways in which tools like Chat GPT may be used to save on science teachers' workload. He then turns to consider some ways in which pupils might use, and misuse, these technologies themselves.

He concludes with a discussion of the broader ethical and other implications of generative AI. This will be a great opportunity for teachers to consider how and why they might incorporate more use of AI into their practice.

Speakers

Miles Berry

Professor of Computing Education, Roehampton University

Professor of Computing EducationSchool of EducationChair, NCCE academic boardUniversity of Roehampton | London | SW15 5PJ

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

All

Theme Using AI to deliver the science curriculum
Key Stage / Audience Type 7 to 11, 11-14, 14-16, ECTs, Post-16, Trainees