ASE 2025 Scotland Region Conference: Full Schedule

ASE is delighted to offer its’ Scotland regional Annual Conference for 2025, with something suitable for primary and secondary science educators, technicians and probationers! Tickets are now open for booking.
Prices start from £20 for ASE members. Come along and gain some excellent professional learning opportunities and talk with exhibitors about their latest resources and initiatives. We look forward to welcoming you. For queries please email conferences@ase.org.uk

09:45 BST

Keynote: Towards a future-orientated 3-18 sciences curriculum

Saturday May 31, 2025 09:45 - 10:25 BST

Lecture Theatre

Education Scotland is leading the process to review and update Scotland's 3-18 Sciences Curriculum. In this opening address, Ian Menzies, Senior Education Officer for Science and STEM at Education Scotland, will provide an overview of the national Curriculum Improvement Cycle process that is underway and will outline the early developments and thinking from the practitioner-led Collaboration and Core Groups that are supporting this exciting process of change

Speakers

Ian Menzies

Senior Education Officer (Sciences, STEM, Learning for Sustainability and Outdoor Learning), Education Scotland

Saturday May 31, 2025 09:45 - 10:25 BST
Lecture Theatre

All

Audience S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, EYFS, P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, BGE, Technicians

10:30 BST

Science on stage, practical teaching ideas from across Europe

Saturday May 31, 2025 10:30 - 11:25 BST

SF004

Over the last 25 years, hundreds of teachers from across Europe have shared teaching ideas at the Science on Stage conference and its Physics on Stage predecessor. In this session, past UK delegates will share some of their favourite practical activities - ones that they have brought home and use in their own classrooms. The session’s activities are aimed at BGE across the Sciences, but Science on Stage also includes content for younger learners.

Speakers

Tim Browett

Physics Coach, Institute of Physics Scotland

Saturday May 31, 2025 10:30 - 11:25 BST
SF004

All

Audience EYFS, P1, P2, S1, S2, S3, S4, BGE, practical science, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, Technicians

10:30 BST

Microscale as a tool of inclusion

Saturday May 31, 2025 10:30 - 11:25 BST

SF005

We often go big on chemistry demonstration to inspire and create that wow factor, but what about thinking micro? By scaling down to small quantities and basic tools we open up channels for experiential learning, some of which can be repeated and reflected in day to day activities. Come learn about the epiphany of opportunity in microscale stumbled upon by a problem-solving technician and a very tired new recruit that improved my teaching practice, engaged learners, and saved a few pennies along the way.

Speakers

Cassaundra Abousamak

Chemistry Teacher, Nairn Academy

Saturday May 31, 2025 10:30 - 11:25 BST
SF005 SF005

Secondary

Audience BGE, N5, Inclusion, Chemistry, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, Technicians

11:30 BST

Cognitive science; the learning brain and how to harness it

Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30 - 12:25 BST

SF018

You say to them, “I really need you to prepare properly for this test so you don’t have your confidence knocked down again.” Their parents say, “You just need to work harder! Now get to your room and revise!” But their brain is saying, “I just don’t know what that means or how to do it!”

Pupils of all ages, stages and abilities find it really hard to organise and plan revision, or even know what successful revision looks like. There is a very good reason for this and in this session will teach you how to teach them about their learning brain; focussing on the structures of the learning brain, executive function and the importance of retrieval practice.

Speakers

Lara Carnegie

Physics Teacher, Robert Gordon's College

Lydia Willetts

Biology Teacher, Robert Gordons College, Aberdeen

Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30 - 12:25 BST
SF018

All

Audience P1, P2, S1, S2, S3, S4, BGE, Inclusion, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7

11:30 BST

Using squid as a teaching tool

Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30 - 12:25 BST

SF010

Something different to use as a practical to show biological structures . Have you tried using squid ? Come and have a go together with fish eyes .This will also give you an opportunity to discuss the role of dissection and to share any other biology practical ideas

Speakers

Susie Burr

PSQM Hub Leader and ASE Scotland Committee Chair, Independent Consultant

I was a Biology and general science teacher but now work mainly with Primary Schools. I am passionate about plants and encouraging children of all ages to enjoy the outdoors. I run a Primary Science Quality Mark hub In Scotland and have had amazing schools achieving all levels from... Read More →

Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30 - 12:25 BST
SF010

Primary

Audience P1, P2, Biology, BGE, Practical science, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, Technicians

13:45 BST

Inclusive practical work in science

Saturday May 31, 2025 13:45 - 14:40 BST

SF005

This session will consider approaches to enhancing the accessibility of practical work at BGE, illustrated by three commonly used activities. Participants will have the opportunity to evaluate minor adaptations to these activities and consider how these approaches could be applied in their own practice.

Speakers

Jane Essex

Senior Lecturer in Chemistry Education, University of Strathclyde

I am a staunch advocate of science education for everyone, so always good to talk to about inclusion in all its guises. Other hobbies/ obsessions are practical science and science in everyday and heritage contexts.

Saturday May 31, 2025 13:45 - 14:40 BST
SF005 SF005

All

Audience practical science, S1, S2, S3, S4, BGE, Inclusion

14:45 BST

They say it's your birthday - teaching STEM through poetry

Saturday May 31, 2025 14:45 - 15:40 BST

SF008

Poetry serves as a bridge between the whispers of individual thought and the roar of collective experience.” (Saulo) Poems providing contexts for STEM learning? Literacy as the vehicle, rather than endpoint? This collection, one poem for every day of the year, has been recited, recorded, illustrated, annotated, catalogued and packaged in PowerPoints with suggested learning activities, contacts, resources, and more, much more. A few poems will be scrutinised; their validity challenged and discussed.

Speakers

Nicky Souter

Chartered Science Teacher, SouterSciTutor

Nicholas (Nicky) Souter’s early years were spent exploring woodland, peat bogs, lochs, and the local Campsie Fells taking in their natural history.His first formal science lesson in ‘the big school’ included being told that the universe includes matter and energy. That elegant... Read More →

Saturday May 31, 2025 14:45 - 15:40 BST
SF008

All

Audience BGE

14:45 BST

Practical physics for BGE

Saturday May 31, 2025 14:45 - 15:40 BST

SF010

This session will introduce a host of activities, covering each of the Physics areas of the BGE Science curriculum. Each practical activity will address second or third level content using typical lab equipment or everyday items.

Speakers

Tim Browett

Physics Coach, Institute of Physics Scotland

Saturday May 31, 2025 14:45 - 15:40 BST
SF010

Secondary

Audience S3, S4, BGE, S1, Physics, S2, P1, S5, S6, Technicians