CLEAPSS at the ASE Conference 2025

The start of the year at the ASE Conference is always a highlight on the CLEAPSS calendar, as well as being a great team outing it also allows us to showcase our work in our workshops, talks and sessions, we also get to meet lots of great teachers and technicians.

Our main presence at the conference was our drop-in hands-on workshop, which for the first time we shared a space with SAPS which was a great experience all round. Here is what you may have missed if you didn’t get to our workshops….

Biology

The ASE conference was a hive of activity for the CLEAPSS biology team, who delivered an engaging presentation - The ‘Biology practical’s that work’ session was well attended this year at the ASE.

 Many were interested to see the new developments in biology including how polarising filters can enhance microscopy activities, and how to carry out paper chromatography of reducing sugars. Confusion around ‘can we use blood’ was cleared up at the session and reinforced with a live blood smear demonstration. The session was concluded with a whole squid dissection as new and exciting addition to our dissection suite.

Our well-attended hands-on workshop offered delegates the opportunity to experience these new activities first-hand. Delegates explored techniques such as diffusion, creating TLC plates, making polarising filters, and performing chromatography of plant pigments.

Chemistry

During the ASE 2025 conference, the chemistry team were busy running a two-day hands-on workshop in the CLEAPSS practical hub.

Participants had an opportunity to try all kinds of engaging Chemistry experiments. For example, zinc electroplating turning copper coins into silver and then gold or testing for positive ions in a range of different compounds, or trying out the CLEAPSS conductivity indicator on ionic and non-ionic solutions.

There was a focus on colour in the practical hub. We had a pre-16 alternative procedure on a common paper chromatography activity as well as an unconventional and colourful way of exploring equilibria using cobalt complexes which was suitable for post 16 teaching.

Participants were discussing and exchanging theirs views and experience from how it is to use microscale chemistry in practise. For instance, a quick and safe method for preparing hydrated copper sulfate and zinc sulfate crystals will allow students to obtain crystals and leave time to discuss results within one lesson.  

We also had an exhibition on different types of equipment which can be used in effective practical work. Participants were amazed with the personal hot plate made from a drinks can, the microscale balances and the accuracy that can be obtained from digital cooking thermometers. The CLEAPSS team also showcased the ideal chemical store which prompted lots of positive discussion on best practise.

Physics

CLEAPSS had a lot of new physics practicals and procedures to view in the workshop. These included the photoelectric effect using the CLEAPSS DIY electroscope. We also had the 3D printed shuttling ball apparatus we recently designed and published. The star of the show was our DIY air track.

Samir delivered a well-attended talk on practical work in Physics, which included the above and also some novel methods to measure relative efficiencies of different light bulbs using an off the shelf Watt meter and a light sensor. The use of technology, 3D printing and Arduino were all discussed too.

For those eager to bring these exciting practicals to their schools, all of the showcased activities are now available in the 'What's New' & ‘CLEAPSS conference resources’ sections of the CLEAPSS website. Members can easily access and download these resources by using their personal log in. We are already making plans for the 2026 ASE Conference, we hope to see you there!