ASE 2025 Annual Conference

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!

08:45 GMT

Technicians TechMeet & Welcome

Friday January 10, 2025 08:45 - 09:35 GMT

Chemistry Building Foyer

All technicians are welcome to join the ASE Technicians Committee and other members, for a warm welcome to meet and greet each other, and chat about what their plans are to enjoy on the dedicated Techs day.

Speakers

Fiona Roberts RSciTech

Senior Science Technician / Chair of ASE Technicians Committee, Morley Academy

I have been a school science technician for 14 years. Prior to this I was a Biomedical Scientist in Microbiology working for the NHS.I currently work across biology, chemistry & physics in KS3 & KS4.I'm a member of the ASE Technician's committee & collate the Prep Room pages for... Read More →

Friday January 10, 2025 08:45 - 09:35 GMT
Chemistry Building Foyer

Theme Professional Journeys
Key Stage / Audience Type Technicians
Twitter feed @theASE

09:45 GMT

Practical work with plants for new technicians: Get the pondweed bubbling!

Friday January 10, 2025 09:45 - 10:35 GMT

Chemistry Lab C10 A

Get hands-on experience with common plant-based practicals for secondary and post-16 science. Designed for those new to providing biology technical support, you will:

•explore the preparation and set-up for plant practicals including bubbling pondweed, photosynthesis with algal balls and root tip mitosis
•be introduced to core GCSE and A-level practical SAPS resources
•grow your confidence sourcing, caring for and preparing live plant material
•be introduced to further SAPS resources

Visit us at www.saps.org.uk
Tweet @SAPS_News
View our demos at youtube.com/ScienceAndPlants

Speakers

Alex Jenkin

Project Manager, Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS)

Alex project manages the Science and Plants for Schools project, overseeing SAPS’ attendance at the ASE Annual Conference and managing the development of our free teaching resources. Alex is keen to explore how plants can be used as examples across biology, not just in traditional... Read More →

Dan Jenkins

Head of Gatsby Plant Education Programme, Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS)

Dan is Head of the Gatsby Plant Science Education Programme and directs the Science and Plants for Schools project. For over 10 years Dan has developed practicals and resources for SAPS and is a dab hand at getting any plant to behave in the school lab. Dan’s background in plant... Read More →

Sponsors

Philip Harris UK Ltd (Part of the Findel Education Family)

We are Philip Harris. Explorers of science since 1817.For generations we’ve helped to make sure science is one of the undisputed essentials of a great education.We’ve helped to take it off the blackboard and into the lab, creating a rich, hands-on world of test tubes, circuits... Read More →

Friday January 10, 2025 09:45 - 10:35 GMT
Chemistry Lab C10 A

Theme Practical Work
Key Stage / Audience Type Technicians
Twitter feed @SAPS_News

09:45 GMT

Technicians: Prep room management with waste management

Friday January 10, 2025 09:45 - 10:35 GMT

Chemistry lab B5

This workshop would suit senior/lead techs or lone techs. We will cover some basics of prep room management but with a specific focus on waste management within all sciences. We will look at how we can reduce, reuse, recycle within science and the issues we all face around waste and its safe disposal.

Speakers

Tracy Sherwood-Farnfield RSciTech

Lead Science Technician, The School of Science and Technology (prep room)

I am a Lead technician, with about 17 years experience, currently at a growing comprehensive school in Kent. I started my tech life as a biology technician and althoug I now cover all subjects, biology remains my first love. I am passionate about passing on skills to the next... Read More →

Sponsors

Philip Harris UK Ltd (Part of the Findel Education Family)

We are Philip Harris. Explorers of science since 1817.For generations we’ve helped to make sure science is one of the undisputed essentials of a great education.We’ve helped to take it off the blackboard and into the lab, creating a rich, hands-on world of test tubes, circuits... Read More →

Friday January 10, 2025 09:45 - 10:35 GMT
Chemistry lab B5

Theme Practical Work
Key Stage / Audience Type Technicians

11:15 GMT

CLEAPSS: Chemical Storage and disposal for science technicians

Friday January 10, 2025 11:15 - 12:05 GMT

An overview of how to ensure good chemical storage and how to best manage chemical waste

Speakers

Magda Polec

Chemistry Advisor, CLEAPSS

Friday January 10, 2025 11:15 - 12:05 GMT
Physics C30

Theme Practical Work
Key Stage / Audience Type Global, Industry, Technicians
Twitter feed @CLEAPSS

11:15 GMT

Technicians: Foodie Physics

Friday January 10, 2025 11:15 - 12:05 GMT

This session will demonstrate some physics concepts covered at KS3 and KS4 using various food stuffs, giving a more accessible and relatable approach.

Speakers

Jeanette Dyer

Science Technician, Melbourn Village College

School science technician for 12 years (2012- present). Experience at KS3 and KS4 for all sciences and KS5 Biology. Recently elected to ASE Technicians' Committee (Aug 2024). Associate Professional Development Lead for Technicians courses with STEM Learning since 2019 (Cambridge and... Read More →

Sponsors

Philip Harris UK Ltd (Part of the Findel Education Family)

We are Philip Harris. Explorers of science since 1817.For generations we’ve helped to make sure science is one of the undisputed essentials of a great education.We’ve helped to take it off the blackboard and into the lab, creating a rich, hands-on world of test tubes, circuits... Read More →

Friday January 10, 2025 11:15 - 12:05 GMT
Physics lab

Theme Practical Work
Key Stage / Audience Type Technicians

11:15 GMT

Technicians: Make and take - resources and ideas workshop

Friday January 10, 2025 11:15 - 12:05 GMT

Chemistry Lab C10 A

A hands on session with a selection of activites for you to make and take away. The activities are ideal for science clubs, practical lessons and more, and include ideas suitable for KS2, KS3 and KS4.

Speakers

Sarah James

Science Technician, Fairfax Academy

All resources available here - https://www.tes.com/resources/search/?authorId=4513166

Sponsors

Philip Harris UK Ltd (Part of the Findel Education Family)

We are Philip Harris. Explorers of science since 1817.For generations we’ve helped to make sure science is one of the undisputed essentials of a great education.We’ve helped to take it off the blackboard and into the lab, creating a rich, hands-on world of test tubes, circuits... Read More →

Friday January 10, 2025 11:15 - 12:05 GMT
Chemistry Lab C10 A

Theme Practical Work
Key Stage / Audience Type Technicians

11:15 GMT

Technicians: Sensational Seaweed

Friday January 10, 2025 11:15 - 12:05 GMT

Chemistry LT X2 (with sink)

Seaweed is known in Scotland as a super food but it has many other uses. In this session we will be using seaweed to demonstrate different photosynthesis rates, and show how you can achieve quantitative results to show the function of photosynthesis. Seaweed also has an important role in fighting climate change with its ability to help reduce animal produced methane. We will also demonstrate how to produce an Egeria Tower. A
n extremely visual representation of photosynthesis at work. Arguably the most important biological process known to man.

Speakers

Margaret Louis

Senior Technician, SSERC

Alan Purves

Education Officer: Technicians, SSERC

Sponsors

Philip Harris UK Ltd (Part of the Findel Education Family)

We are Philip Harris. Explorers of science since 1817.For generations we’ve helped to make sure science is one of the undisputed essentials of a great education.We’ve helped to take it off the blackboard and into the lab, creating a rich, hands-on world of test tubes, circuits... Read More →

Friday January 10, 2025 11:15 - 12:05 GMT
Chemistry LT X2 (with sink)

Theme Sustainability climate change & environmental issues
Key Stage / Audience Type ECTs, Global, Industry, Teacher Developers, Technicians, Trainees
Twitter feed @ssercofficial

12:15 GMT

Technicians: Climate Change - how to show the effects through practical science

Friday January 10, 2025 12:15 - 13:05 GMT

Chemistry Lab C10 B

Climate change and the effects of pollution are very much hot topics in the new today. Through practical science it is possible for students to observe the efects, be it the rise of atmospheric CO2, the effecto of acid rain or the effect of polluted water courses on aquatic ecosystems. This workshop will show simple but effective experiments that will demonstrate these effects.

Speakers

Rachael Bailey

Science Technician, The Orme Academy

I've been a school science technician since 2010, currently a senior science technician at The Orme Academy part of Shaw Education Trust, previous to this I was a senior analytical chemist in the pharmaceutical industry. I am also part of the North Midlands Science Learning Partnership... Read More →

Sponsors

Philip Harris UK Ltd (Part of the Findel Education Family)

We are Philip Harris. Explorers of science since 1817.For generations we’ve helped to make sure science is one of the undisputed essentials of a great education.We’ve helped to take it off the blackboard and into the lab, creating a rich, hands-on world of test tubes, circuits... Read More →

Friday January 10, 2025 12:15 - 13:05 GMT
Chemistry Lab C10 B

Theme Practical Work
Key Stage / Audience Type Technicians

12:15 GMT

Technicians: Electromagnetic Magic

Friday January 10, 2025 12:15 - 13:05 GMT

Based on a SSR in Practice March 2023 article, a series of class practical, and interactive demonstrations that cover Magnetism, the ‘Motor Effect’ and ‘Generator Effect’ with examples of everyday applications including making a speaker, and finishing with a puzzle to challenge any Physics teacher.

Speakers

John Jermy

Senior Science Technician, Kings Ely Senior School

Sponsors

Philip Harris UK Ltd (Part of the Findel Education Family)

We are Philip Harris. Explorers of science since 1817.For generations we’ve helped to make sure science is one of the undisputed essentials of a great education.We’ve helped to take it off the blackboard and into the lab, creating a rich, hands-on world of test tubes, circuits... Read More →

Friday January 10, 2025 12:15 - 13:05 GMT
Physics lab

Theme Practical Work
Key Stage / Audience Type Technicians

12:15 GMT

Technicians: Osmosis and diffusion

Friday January 10, 2025 12:15 - 13:05 GMT

Chemistry Lab C10 A

NOT…… Just those things with chips and air fresheners??

Refresh or learn other simple ways to show these dear old science topics.

Try out an Osmosis circus and Diffusion demos, particularly aimed at Technicians new to the role.

Speakers

Jenny Baker

Science Technician, The Corby Sixth Form College

Sponsors

Philip Harris UK Ltd (Part of the Findel Education Family)

We are Philip Harris. Explorers of science since 1817.For generations we’ve helped to make sure science is one of the undisputed essentials of a great education.We’ve helped to take it off the blackboard and into the lab, creating a rich, hands-on world of test tubes, circuits... Read More →

Friday January 10, 2025 12:15 - 13:05 GMT
Chemistry Lab C10 A

Theme Practical Work
Key Stage / Audience Type Technicians
Twitter feed @theASE

13:15 GMT

Technicians: Lunch, generously sponsored by Philip Harris

Friday January 10, 2025 13:15 - 14:05 GMT

Chemistry Building Foyer

This lunch is specifically for those who have purchased a Technician ticket for the day - come along, eat, drink and be merry whilst networking with other science technicians.

Speakers

Fiona Roberts RSciTech

Senior Science Technician / Chair of ASE Technicians Committee, Morley Academy

I have been a school science technician for 14 years. Prior to this I was a Biomedical Scientist in Microbiology working for the NHS.I currently work across biology, chemistry & physics in KS3 & KS4.I'm a member of the ASE Technician's committee & collate the Prep Room pages for... Read More →

Sponsors

Philip Harris UK Ltd (Part of the Findel Education Family)

We are Philip Harris. Explorers of science since 1817.For generations we’ve helped to make sure science is one of the undisputed essentials of a great education.We’ve helped to take it off the blackboard and into the lab, creating a rich, hands-on world of test tubes, circuits... Read More →

Friday January 10, 2025 13:15 - 14:05 GMT
Chemistry Building Foyer

Theme Practical Work
Key Stage / Audience Type Technicians

14:15 GMT

Technicians: Making spirit burners

Friday January 10, 2025 14:15 - 15:05 GMT

Chemistry Lab C10 B

Come and make 2 pieces of kit for GCSE required chemistry practicals, a mini spirit burner and an electrolysis kit, both in microscale to save space and reduce the volume of chemicals used.

Speakers

Tracy Sherwood-Farnfield RSciTech

Lead Science Technician, The School of Science and Technology (prep room)

I am a Lead technician, with about 17 years experience, currently at a growing comprehensive school in Kent. I started my tech life as a biology technician and althoug I now cover all subjects, biology remains my first love. I am passionate about passing on skills to the next... Read More →

Sponsors

Philip Harris UK Ltd (Part of the Findel Education Family)

We are Philip Harris. Explorers of science since 1817.For generations we’ve helped to make sure science is one of the undisputed essentials of a great education.We’ve helped to take it off the blackboard and into the lab, creating a rich, hands-on world of test tubes, circuits... Read More →

Friday January 10, 2025 14:15 - 15:05 GMT
Chemistry Lab C10 B

Theme Practical Work
Key Stage / Audience Type Technicians

14:15 GMT

Technicians: Practical Adaptations for SEND

Friday January 10, 2025 14:15 - 15:05 GMT

Chemistry Lab C10 A

This session looks at ways to adapt practicals and resources to make them accessible to all learners. There will be a chance to try some of them out for yourself.

Speakers

Fiona Roberts RSciTech

Senior Science Technician / Chair of ASE Technicians Committee, Morley Academy

I have been a school science technician for 14 years. Prior to this I was a Biomedical Scientist in Microbiology working for the NHS.I currently work across biology, chemistry & physics in KS3 & KS4.I'm a member of the ASE Technician's committee & collate the Prep Room pages for... Read More →

Sponsors

Philip Harris UK Ltd (Part of the Findel Education Family)

We are Philip Harris. Explorers of science since 1817.For generations we’ve helped to make sure science is one of the undisputed essentials of a great education.We’ve helped to take it off the blackboard and into the lab, creating a rich, hands-on world of test tubes, circuits... Read More →

Friday January 10, 2025 14:15 - 15:05 GMT
Chemistry Lab C10 A

Theme Practical Work
Key Stage / Audience Type Technicians

15:45 GMT

Technicians: Everything to do with circuits

Friday January 10, 2025 15:45 - 16:35 GMT

In this session we will get the most out of your electronics kit, focussing on motors, LEDs, LDRs, thermistors & capacitors.

Speakers

Andrew Jones RSciTech MInstP

Senior Science Technician and ASE National Committee: Laboratory Technicians, Norwich High School

Sponsors

Philip Harris UK Ltd (Part of the Findel Education Family)

We are Philip Harris. Explorers of science since 1817.For generations we’ve helped to make sure science is one of the undisputed essentials of a great education.We’ve helped to take it off the blackboard and into the lab, creating a rich, hands-on world of test tubes, circuits... Read More →

Friday January 10, 2025 15:45 - 16:35 GMT
Physics lab

Theme Practical Work
Key Stage / Audience Type Technicians

15:45 GMT

Technicians: Microscale favourites

Friday January 10, 2025 15:45 - 16:35 GMT

Chemistry Lab C10 B

A hands-on session that will showcase some KS3 and KS4 microscale practical favourites including food tests, electrolysis and testing for ions. Delegates will learn about the vast multitude of benefits that are felt by staff and students when taking this approach to practical work.

Speakers

Rebecca Daniels

Science Technician, St Peter's CofE Academy

Sponsors

Philip Harris UK Ltd (Part of the Findel Education Family)

We are Philip Harris. Explorers of science since 1817.For generations we’ve helped to make sure science is one of the undisputed essentials of a great education.We’ve helped to take it off the blackboard and into the lab, creating a rich, hands-on world of test tubes, circuits... Read More →

Friday January 10, 2025 15:45 - 16:35 GMT
Chemistry Lab C10 B

Theme Practical Work
Key Stage / Audience Type Technicians

15:45 GMT

Technicians: Resources for developing skills as a new technician

Friday January 10, 2025 15:45 - 16:35 GMT

Chemistry Lab C10 A

Exploring the role of a science technician, identifying key equipment, giving guidance on how to manage your tasks and time, health and safety advice, organising your prep room, and improving your technical skills.

Speakers

Jeanette Dyer

Science Technician, Melbourn Village College

School science technician for 12 years (2012- present). Experience at KS3 and KS4 for all sciences and KS5 Biology. Recently elected to ASE Technicians' Committee (Aug 2024). Associate Professional Development Lead for Technicians courses with STEM Learning since 2019 (Cambridge and... Read More →

Sponsors

Philip Harris UK Ltd (Part of the Findel Education Family)

We are Philip Harris. Explorers of science since 1817.For generations we’ve helped to make sure science is one of the undisputed essentials of a great education.We’ve helped to take it off the blackboard and into the lab, creating a rich, hands-on world of test tubes, circuits... Read More →

Friday January 10, 2025 15:45 - 16:35 GMT
Chemistry Lab C10 A

Theme Practical Work
Key Stage / Audience Type Technicians

16:45 GMT

Meet and Greet the ASE Technicians Committee

Friday January 10, 2025 16:45 - 17:30 GMT

Chemistry Building Foyer

If you are a science technician, come along to the "Meet the Technicians Committee" session at the end of Friday 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 for one of the ASE journals?

We look forward to listening to your questions and will endeavour to answer them!

Friday January 10, 2025 16:45 - 17:30 GMT
Chemistry Building Foyer

Theme Professional Journeys
Key Stage / Audience Type Technicians
Twitter feed @theASE