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!
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In early 2024, the Department for Education announced additional funding to schools and colleges offering the Level 3 Core Maths course for post 16 students. Building from GCSE Maths, Core Maths develops students’ ability to apply maths to real-world contexts they will meet in other areas of study, work and life. In this workshop, secondary science teachers will gain an insight into the Core Maths qualification and why it is important for teachers and students to be aware of it from KS3 upwards.
This event is being run in partnership with the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme (AMSP), with support from the Dept for Education.
Marianne has overall responsibility for curriculum support and projects at the ASE. She works closely with ASE committees and manages professional development projects.
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 →
MfBT joint ASE / AMSP project (DfE funded), AMSP/MEI
I currently work as a maths education support specialist within the Advanced Maths Support Programme (AMSP), which is led and delivered by Mathematics in Education and Industry (MEI). I have shared responsibility within this role for supporting teachers in the delivery of the level... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 08:45 - 09:35 GMT
Coates C27
What have some of the best minds in science education had to say about teaching and learning science, and what might it mean for your classroom? You could read all the books yourself, but if you don’t have time, come and listen to what I have found of value from reading as many books and papers as I have been able to over the last 25 years. From abstracted wisdom to practical ideas and all points in between. This session will give you an overview of some of the most useful writing over the last 40 or more years, an annotated bibliography and maybe some free books.
ITE | Early Career and Research Consultant, University of Cambridge | The Ogden Trust
I am PGCE Physics Tutor at the Faculty of Education in Cambridge. I lead the physics research network and early career teacher support programs for the Ogden Trust. I am also a member of the Physics Education Research group at the University of Uppsala, Sweden where l am researching... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 09:45 - 10:35 GMT
Coates C27
Mathematical and data sciences are everywhere, and their influence is growing. Our education system must adapt’ – A new approach to mathematics and data education, Royal Society 2023. Using authentic scientific data sets this workshop will give delegates experience of how they can use free technology in the classroom to help their students explore and understand data sets from the natural world.
This ASE event is being run in partnership with the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme, with support from the Department for Education.
Marianne has overall responsibility for curriculum support and projects at the ASE. She works closely with ASE committees and manages professional development projects.
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 →
MfBT joint ASE / AMSP project (DfE funded), AMSP/MEI
I currently work as a maths education support specialist within the Advanced Maths Support Programme (AMSP), which is led and delivered by Mathematics in Education and Industry (MEI). I have shared responsibility within this role for supporting teachers in the delivery of the level... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 11:15 - 12:05 GMT
Coates C27
The session will give a brief overview of the Assessment Companion for Thinking Skills (ACTS) developed as part of a transnational Erasmus project. The main part of the workshop will be interactively using the Exploratory Talk Tool from this project and discussing how relevant this is to Science Teachers
This session is aimed at chemistry teachers who are considering running an A level Chemistry training day aimed at teachers new to teaching A level. The session will explain the logstics of organising the day, how to secure funding, support, promotion of the event and how to evaluate its impact. The experiments carried out on the training day will be described in detail and include titration methods and organic synthesis. In addition how these practicals fit into the curriculum and are assessed will be included.
He has worked in secondary schools in Greater London, Essex and Lincolnshire and has also taught the International Baccalaureate in Bogota, Colombia. His particular focus is to raise achievement through delivery of good practical science. In today’s session Pete will be assisted... Read More →
Can the whole of the Atomic Structure GCSE unit be taught and learnt in one hour? This workshop will explore the impact of Spaced Learning within lessons in physics education. This statistically significant study shows how recent advances in our understanding of neuroscience can be applied to the classroom to maximise learning rates.
Delegates will explore evidence-based approaches to implement Spaced Learning in their teaching, as well as gaining insight in this exciting area of cognitive science. Although the research study and associated peer-reviewed article presented is focused on physics teaching and learning, the strategies discussed are highly transferrable to other areas of the curriculum.
How clean is the air that surrounds you where you live or that you breathe on your walk to school or work? Are there as many insects as there should there be in your garden or local park and does this number matter? These kinds of starter questions have been used successfully to engage participants throughout the UK in a Citizen Science initiative called the ‘Open Air Laboratories Project’. Insights gained have helped shape the creation and implementation of scientific learning resources that can be adapted for use in diverse groups and settings, to improve understanding not only of our environment, but of more complex ideas such as ‘connectivity’ and ‘change’.
Electron Microscopy (EM) is a powerful tool that reveals structures at the micro and nanoscales, offering a unique window into the microscopic world. Despite its transformative capabilities, EM remains relatively unknown outside of academic circles, with minimal exposure in standard school curricula—briefly touched on at A-level biology. Yet, its potential to enhance learning goes far beyond the sciences. Imagine teaching cell biology by showing real EM images of different cell types, or bringing abstract concepts to life in subjects like history with stunning details of ancient glass.
Under the Microscope is a public engagement initiative designed around a simple yet exciting question: "What would you like to see imaged at the microscale?" This talk explores how EM can break down barriers and captivate diverse audiences. Since its inception in 2023, it has evolved from being purely online to being shown on TV, going international, and reaching local communities including children from SEND backgrounds.
Join Dr. Luke Norman as he demonstrates how a single concept can be adapted to reach different audiences through creative mediums. Like Ant-Man, get ready to shrink down and explore the fascinating world at the nanoscale, where every detail tells a story.
A cross curricular approach to teaching Year 8 students about Climate Change was developed based on the the model for a Meaningful Climate Change Education (Greer and Glackin, 2021). A number of different subjects including STEM, Humanities, Languages and Art taught students about issues relating to climate change and sustainability over a 3 week period.
The teaching sequence for each subject was developed through the lens of 'Alternative Visions of the Future', a core quality of a meaningful climate education. Students were asked to develop their own alternative vision of the future, explore it from multiple perspectives and present this at a research poster conference at the end of a 4 week period. The interdisciplinary nature of the project meant teachers, as well as students, were required to consider the central question from multiple perspectives and provided an important opportunity for teacher CPD.
The biennial Science on Stage Festival took place in Turku, Finland in August 2024. The Science on Stage Festival brings together hundreds of teachers from across Europe and beyond to share innovate strategies for teaching science from all levels from early years, through primary to secondary.
In this session, members of the Science on Stage delegation which represented the UK at the Festival will describe and demonstrate some of the best bits from Turku.
Learning and Skills Manager, IOP and Perimeter Institute
I was a teacher of physics in Scotland for over 30 years before becoming the Scottish Education Manager for IOP in February 2019. Throughout this time I have been active in curriculum and assessment development and providing professional learning for teachers. I am a former Chair... Read More →
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.
This workshop aims to equip teachers in KS2&3 with the knowledge and tools to effectively integrate games into their science teaching. By demonstrating the educational potential of games and providing practical strategies for implementation, we can help educators create more engaging, interactive, and effective learning environments for their students.
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 →
Drop in to discuss any topic – GCSE, A-level and extension work. Collect free resources for examined material. Try out laboratory experiments. Which telescope should you buy? Consider joining the UK meteor network. See how to make a radio-telescope from an oil can – a cantenna. Great Projects.
Honorary Treasurer, Association for Astronomy Education
I taught Physics at Manchester Grammar School for 38 years. In the past I chaired the Education Committee for the Royal Astronomical Society for 9 years.
Saturday January 11, 2025 14:15 - 15:05 GMT
Coates C27
Chemistry Professor Sir Martyn Poliakoff FREng FRS will talk about his experience of using YouTube videos to bring chemistry to a wider audience and to inspire a new generation of chemists. Physics teacher Simon Poliakoff (Sir Martyn’s son) will then share a variety of practical strategies to effectively use videos to support science teaching in schools and colleges including using videos to reduce cognitive load.
Sir Martyn is the face of the YouTube channel Periodic Videos www.youtube.com/@periodicvideos founded in 2008 with 718 videos, more than 286 million views and over 2000 watch years since 2012. He is a Research Professor of Chemistry at the University of Nottingham. He has taught Chemistry... Read More →
Physics teacher and Lead Practitioner Teaching and Learning, The Priory School Hitchin
I have worked as a physics and science teacher for 20 years in a variety of settings from Ethiopia to Hitchin. During my career I have been involved in a wide range of programmes to support non-specialists teaching physics as well as delivering whole school CPD aimed at improving... Read More →
Saturday January 11, 2025 15:30 - 16:20 GMT
Coates C27
