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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08:45 GMT

There’s always room for a story!

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

ESLC B05

Science and stories, fact or fiction, are means to engage, inspire, enlighten and provoke. Jules and Lynne explore how using story as a pedagogic tool for primary science teachers. Join us for discussion and reflection on the space and place for stories in children’s science learning wherever you are in the world.

Speakers

Jules Pottle

Director, Artful Fox Creatives

I'm an experienced Primary Science Specialist Teacher. I work part-time in a local primary school and part-time as a teacher trainer providing INSET sessions across the country. I also write books to help teachers use oral stories and books in their science lessons to improve engagement... Read More →

Lynne Bianchi

Professor / Director, SEERIH, University of Manchester

Vice Dean for Social Responsibility, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility Director of Science & Engineering Education Research and Innovation HubComino Foundation Associate Great Science Share for Schools Campaign Director Principal Fellow of the HEA RSA Fellow

Saturday January 11, 2025 08:45 - 09:35 GMT
ESLC B05

Primary

Theme Curriculum and New Teaching Approaches
Key Stage / Audience Type ECTs, Global, Teacher Developers, 5 to 7, 7 to 11
Twitter feed @UoMSEERIH

09:45 GMT

Formative Assessment Probes - Starting Points for Responsive Teaching in KS2

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

ESLC B05

This workshop will share practical ideas about how, when starting a topic, teachers can quickly and easily find out what children already know and what misconceptions they may hold. It will then consider, using examples from classroom practice, how they can be used to plan next steps in teaching.

This session has links to the book Understanding Children's Ideas in Science sold by ASE/Millgate House

Speakers

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 →

Page Keeley

Retiring President, NSELA

Page Keeley is an American science education consultant and author of over 20 books linking research to practice, including several award-winning books in the Uncovering Student Ideas in Science series. She works with school districts, universities, and organizations throughout the... Read More →

Saturday January 11, 2025 09:45 - 10:35 GMT
ESLC B05

Primary

Theme Assessment
Key Stage / Audience Type ECTs, Teacher Developers, Global, 7 to 11

11:15 GMT

Replacing Plastics An investigation into the suitability of natural polymer

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

ESLC B05

The “replacing plastics” project is a creative, interdisciplinary application of both chemistry and physics to a real-world problem. The project is executed by students: they create natural polymer substances that resemble plastic, and then test the suitability of their product as an alternative for plastic in everyday life by analysing a range of physical material properties. In doing so, the students explicitly address the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 12: responsible consumption and production. Aside from building their skills, the applied nature of this hands-on project instils a sense of urgency and purpose for their academic studies and creates a vision of how science matters in their future lives.

In this session, we will examine both the simple method to create our own biopolymer from milk and vinegar and the selection of material tests that the students used to compare the biopolymer with the plastic alternative. This experimental process presents itself as a core workflow around which open-ended investigations and problem solving can be scaffolded, stimulate creative and critical thinking. Additional extension questions and variations that allows this project to be adapted for KS1 towards A Level will be discussed. This project was presented as a workshop at the Science on Stage International Festival in Turku, Finland.

Speakers

Colleen Reesink-Wells

STEM Director, Roedean School

Saturday January 11, 2025 11:15 - 12:05 GMT
ESLC B05

All

Theme Sustainability climate change & environmental issues
Key Stage / Audience Type Global, Teacher Developers, 7 to 11, 11-14, 14-16

12:15 GMT

Use Your Classroom to Promote Diversity in Science

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

ESLC B05

In this session, we discuss the importance of diverse role models. Our presenter delves into the meaning of diversity and common misconceptions that ‘diversity’ brings.We will be signposting high quality resources that are easy to add to your curriculum while enriching your science lessons. Particularly aimed at class teachers, science subject leaders, student teachers and anyone with an interest in primary science education.

Speakers

Alison Trew

Impact & Research Director (acting) and Regional Mentor, Primary Science Teaching Trust

PSTT Projects/Resources: Did you know? (Introducing cutting-edge research to primary children), A Scientist Just Like Me, Standing On the Shoulders of Giants, Floorbooks, Play Observe & Ask (Early Years), Air Pollution Research. Accredited trainer for: Thinking Doing Talking Science... Read More →

Kulvinder Johal

Regional Mentor for London and the S.E., Primary Science Teaching Trust

Saturday January 11, 2025 12:15 - 13:05 GMT
ESLC B05

Primary

Theme Inclusion and Diversity including SEND
Key Stage / Audience Type ECTs, Industry, Global, Teacher Developers, 0-4, 5 to 7, 7 to 11, 11-14
Twitter feed @PSTT_whyhow

15:30 GMT

Working like a scientist - skills boost

Saturday January 11, 2025 15:30 - 16:20 GMT

ESLC B05

Where previous COVID-19 restrictions deprived many teachers and pupils of the opportunities to teach and learn through practical science activities, have you noticed that practical science has been / continues to be affected? Using research shared in ‘Finding the Optimum’, we’ll open a discussion around the continued need to to develop and build on children's Working Scientifically skills. This hands-on practical workshop will share CIEC’s strategies to get children working like scientists, focussing on improving resilience, collaboration and disciplinary skills.

Speakers

Melanie Boyeson

Primary Science Advisory Teacher (Humber), Centre for Industry Education Collaboration (CIEC)

Saturday January 11, 2025 15:30 - 16:20 GMT
ESLC B05

Primary

Theme Practical Work
Key Stage / Audience Type ECTs, Global, Industry, 5 to 7, 7 to 11
Twitter feed @ciecyork