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!

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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

Research Meet - Sharing current close-to-practice research

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

Pope A34

Research provides a means for exploring teaching and learning in classrooms and other contexts, with some studies suggesting new ways of working. Every year many science education Masters, PhD and EdD students develop an expertise in a specific area of science education which can provide useful insights into how science works in the classroom. Come along to this session to hear a range of findings arising from a number of these studies and join in discussions for those that interest you.

Details of these mini-presentations will be made available by December.

Speakers

Alastair Gittner

Research Lead and an enthusiastic supporter of ASE for over 25 years, Notre Dame High School

Sarah Earle

Professor of Primary Science Education, Bath Spa University

Saturday January 11, 2025 12:15 - 13:05 GMT
Pope A34

All

Theme Research
Twitter feed @theASE

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

14:15 GMT

Research Meet - Sharing current close-to-practice research

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

Pope A34

Speakers

Alastair Gittner

Research Lead and an enthusiastic supporter of ASE for over 25 years, Notre Dame High School

Sarah Earle

Professor of Primary Science Education, Bath Spa University

Saturday January 11, 2025 14:15 - 15:05 GMT
Pope A34

All

Theme Research
Twitter feed @theASE

14:15 GMT

Primary Teach Meet

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

ESLC C01

The primary teach meet is a great opportunity for people from the Primary Science Education Community to come together to network and hear about top tips, inspiring resources and not-to-be-missed opportunities.

Speakers

Sarah Eames CSciTeach

Primary Teacher and PSTT Mentor, Sandfield Close Primary School

Primary Teacher - I love teaching; I also love being a fellow of the Primary Science Teaching Trust and working for them 1 day a week. Yes, the best of both worlds! Proud to be on the ASE Primary Committee.Padlet link for 2024ASE Primary Teachmeet 2024 (padlet.com)... Read More →

Sheetal Kowalczyk

Primary Teacher, Bromley High Junior School

Saturday January 11, 2025 14:15 - 15:05 GMT
ESLC C01

Primary

Theme Professional Journeys
Key Stage / Audience Type 0-4, 5 to 7, 7 to 11
Twitter feed @theASE