ASE 2024 Annual Conference
The ASE's 2024 flagship Annual Conference takes place at the University of Northampton's Waterside Campus in January, from the 4th to the 6th inclusive.
2024 Annual Conference Programme - in partnership with AQA
Summary
The ASE’s Annual Conference is the UK’s largest science education conference gathering together science educators from across the education spectrum. Over the three days there are more than 250 sessions with keynotes, speakers and workshops. There is also an exhibition of science education organisations, social events and a special schools exhibition for local schools to show case science projects. It will be hosted this time at the University of Northampton and takes place from 4-6th January 2024. There are sessions focused on primary and secondary science teaching running across all three days.
- Thursday 4th January: showcases the dedicated Post-16 day and for those involved in leading and delivering professional development, the Futures Group programme begins on this day.
- Friday 5th January: includes our Technicians Day and Early Career Teachers Day.
- Saturday 6th January: focuses on Research sessions and hosts the Schools Exhibition (where teachers and their students can talk about a school project with posters or artefacts).
Our Programme
The 2024 Conference Programme can be found here but may be subject to minor changes. The ASE uses Sched for its live, digital timetable - for those requiring some guidance as to how to use the platform, please see the notes below on the FILES tab, which we hope will prove helpful.
A taste of our keynotes
Presidential Address
Professor Michael J Reiss
The role of science education at a time of climate crisis and the sixth mass extinction
Secondary keynote
Anthony Tomei CBE
A new approach to mathematics and data education - implications for science teaching
Futures keynote
Professor Samantha Twiselton
Teacher professionalism in an era of focused and directed ITE and CPD
Our sponsors
Huge thanks go to the following sponsors for supporting our flagship event:
- ASE Conference 2024 in Partnership with AQA
- ASE Conference delegate badges for entry by Oxford University Press
- ASE Conference Technicians day (5th January) officially sponsored by Philip Harris, part of the Findel Group
- ASE Conference Post-16 day (4th January) officially sponsored by Gatsby Charitable Foundation
- ASE Conference Primary Saturday Lunch and Primary Saturday Teach Meet (6th January) officially sponsored by VITTA Group
Social events
Don't forget to book to attend our two evening social events at the University of Northampton; Thursday's evening meal is Jacket Potatoes with a selection of hot and cold fillings with side salad, and Friday's Curry & Quiz will include a chicken or vegetable curry, rice, vegetable samosas and naan. Numbers are limited to 100 on each evening in Leathersellers Hide on site, which has a bar and a lovely relaxed atmosphere. Tickets are also on Eventbrite and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
FAQs
An FAQs document has been created (on the FILES tab below) which should hopefully help answer the majority of queries, but should anyone have anything more specific to ask, please email conferences@ase.org.uk
Virtual tour of the University of Northampton's Waterside Campus
We are delighted to be hosted by the University of Northampton for January 2024. The Conference will take place in 2 of their buildings - the Learning Hub will host the majority of sessions and the exhibition will take place on the ground floor of the Creative Hub, with a few sessions on upper levels.
Take their virtual tour to explore just how lovely it is at Waterside Campus!
Exhibitors and Promotional Opportunities
The floor plan for our exhibition is now available on the FILES link below, from which you may see that the majority of the booths are already reserved. If you are interested in booking a stand, please complete the short questionnaire on the link here and one of the team will come back to you. Similarly, we are now collating information from anyone with an interest in inserting a flyer/small item into the delegate bags - these can be for just primary or secondary audiences, or for all delegates visiting the Conference. For queries, please email conferences@ase.org.uk
Exhibitors already signed-up to participate can be viewed on Sched by clicking the Exhibitors tab - this will continue to be populated as we receive information from each of them throughout autumn term 2023.
Schools' Exhibition applications now open
The ASE Schools’ Exhibition has become one of the most popular elements of the ASE Annual Conference every January. Schools from all sectors of education are invited to present a science project happening in their classrooms or clubs, within an informal setting for a couple of hours. One or two teachers from each school are invited to provide a display, which can include artefacts and/or posters illustrating their school project, and are invited to talk about their project on Saturday 6th January 2024 from 11:15hrs to 13:05hrs at the University of Northampton’s Waterside Campus. Up to 5 pupils can accompany their teacher to help demonstrate their activities and talk about their school project. There is no charge for any school taking part in the Schools’ Exhibition and the teachers will receive one full, free day-place on the Saturday. There will be an opportunity for the teachers to visit the main conference Suppliers Exhibition and also to attend the Keynote on Dinosaurs at 14:15 by Michael J Benton OBE. Places are limited and will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested schools should apply by completing the short questionnaire here in the first instance, indicating their title, a 50 word description and their phase of education. So if you have something to share, come along to this buzzy, relaxed event and network with other science colleagues - the closing date for applications is Sunday 26th November 2023.
Please note that all presenters at Annual Conference 2023 are entitled to only ONE free presenter day, so for anyone presenting at the Schools Exhibition and also on alternative days, the daily fee for attendance on additional days will need to be paid according to individual's ASE Membership status.
Special entry instructions for successful Schools Exhibitors will be circulated upon confirmation of places from the end of October onwards.
Limited Bursary Funding available for Trainee Teachers for Annual Conference 2024
Thanks to the generosity of one of our long standing supporters and members, John Barker, we are able to offer three trainees a bursary of up to £150 to cover the cost of travel and/or accommodation at ASE Annual Conference '24. To apply, please submit your application using our online form. Please include details of where you are doing your ITE course, and up to 200 words outlining how you believe attending ASEConf2024 will benefit your teaching and professional learning. Applications must be received by Sunday 12th November 2023. Applicants will be informed by end of November 2023. Successful applicants will be asked to write a small article for EiS in the Spring of 2024 telling everyone how you found your ASE annual conference experience beneficial to your teaching.
Application form for John Barker Award
About John Barker
John qualified as a biology teacher working in South London schools and then became biology education tutor at Chelsea College’s Centre for Science Education (later to become the Centre for Science and Mathematics Education) where he contributed, among other activities, to the development of the Nuffield Biology course. When Chelsea College merged with King’s College and Queen Elizabeth College, John moved to the newly-established Waterloo site, running the PGCE Biology course, and also taking on the role of PGCE Director. John fostered a deep admiration and interest in, and for, practical biology which was obvious when you visited his teaching lab, with its myriad of plants and assorted animals. John was also a keen supporter of the Association of Science Education (ASE) and a regular attendee at the annual conference over several decades. He was in his element meeting and interacting with enthusiastic science teachers and conference provided an ideal event for this to happen each year.
John Barker generously left a large donation in his will to ASE. This has enabled ASE to offer support for 3 trainee teachers to attend ASEConf2024. Trainees must be ASE members (which under the newly launched membership structure, is now free). The bursary is up to a value of £150 towards any travel or accommodation for attending Conference.
Files
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