October was a busy month for HQ meetings, with the first meeting of this academic year for the Assembly. This was a lively gathering, at which the Chair of the Association’s badge of office was handed over by Lynne Horton to the new Chair, Liz Lawrence. We also welcomed the Quality and Audit, International, Safeguards and Research Committees, while the Primary Committee met in Manchester.

Preparations for the ASE Annual Conference in 2013 continue apace as we look forward to a lively event and booking is brisk. CEO meetings have included the gathering of the CEOs of the SCORE partners, a catch up with the Vice Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire, and a meeting of the leadership team for the Primary Science Quality Mark, just ahead of the celebration of the awardees from the London area. The Council for Subject Associations and the Science Council also met and had useful discussions.

Finally, preparations for ASE’s 50th anniversary continue. The anniversary book is about to go to print and futher details of the Summer Celebration Conference will be on the website soon, with the opportunity to propose a session or register your interest in being a delegate, exhibiting, or supporting the event.

EiS Extra, being launched this month, will feature extensions of the content in the paper version of the magazine. Upcoming articles will be highlighted in the magazine but keep visiting the website for all the latest updates.

This month’s EiS Extra will include: an article on the new York Science Project; a follow-up article in James Williams’ series on writing for ASE and others; and an extension to the Expedition Iceland article in November EiS.

Come to stand D36 at the ASE Annual Conference in January 2013 and have your say on our new A-level qualifications in science.

We are consulting with teachers, societies and universities to ensure that our A-levels are the very best they can be – attractive to all students but rigorous enough to allow smooth progression to university study. Come and talk to our experts to find out how you can get involved.

Trainee teachers and NQTs

Professional development is at the heart of ASE activity and its publications support teachers at all stages. ASE’s Guides are essential reading for teachers starting out in the profession.
 
ASE Guide to Primary Science Education
ASE Guide to Secondary Science Education 
ASE Guide to Research in Science Education: ideal for students on a Masters course.
 
In secondary schools, the ASE Science Practice series provides invaluable support for trainee and NQT science teachers.

Teaching Secondary Biology NEW edition
Teaching Secondary Physics NEW edition
Teaching Secondary Chemistry NEW edition

In primary schools, teachers find these books invaluable:

It’s Not Fair or is it? – a practical guide for teaching science enquiry skills.

Making Sense of Primary Science Investigations – help children understand scientific investigation.

Pupils in Key Stage 3 and 4 can win £500 for their school by taking part in the Diamond Light Source writing competition.

Primary School children are being invited to imagine the future in a Medical Research Council competition.

The International Polar Foundation (IPF), supported by GDF Suez, is launching an exciting new project in the UK that allows school students “hands on” science relating to the Arctic and Antarctic while learning about climate change and sustainability.

The Class Zero Emission (CZE) mobile workshop introduces the Polar Regions through the use of film footage, polar clothing and large 3D models. The CZE workshop will initially be available to schools/colleges in the Midlands area from 12 November 2012. Students will also be able to access the workshop throughout the UK at a variety of Science centres and Science events.

Please contact Liz Pasteur for further information and booking forms:

liz.pasteur@polarfoundation.org   Tel: 01629 734442 

Further information is available from www.polarfoundation.org and www.educapoles.org