***Updated to include some reflections from the conference***
As usual, the ASE conference this year – the first time back in person for three years, hooray! – was an incredible jam-packed experience of inspiration, ideas, thinking, reflecting, meeting, networking, sharing and exhaustion! There is always so much to see, do and take part in, it’s so hard to pick the sessions to attend. I also presented a few sessions so missed out on some of the other events I would have liked to attend and seemed to miss catching up with lots of people I would have liked to have had discussions with too. It was great to get together with the collective science education community, including colleagues from PSQM, STEM Learning and the Great Science Share.
Some of the highlights of the conference for me were:
- The 10th Brenda Keogh keynote lecture, reflecting on Brenda’s amazing legacy – and raising the roof singing in true Primary style!
- Sessions including Jane Turner and Lynne Bianchi reflecting on the key issues in primary science, response to the Ofsted science research review and a framework for devising a new primary science curriculum
- The Teacher swap shop pop-up with a carousel of sharing activities, resources and more
- The primary science whistlestop TeachMeet
- Celebrating schools achievements with PSQM
- Having the chance to talk to colleagues old and new and to hear from fellow teachers – I was particularly blown away by a beautiful soul and passionate year 4 teacher named Michelle. If that’s you – you really touched a chord with me and I hope you continue to be fabulous in all you do and to become a bigger part of the primary science education community!
- and many more sessions sharing resources, ideas and best practice – I’ve already tweaked some planning for this week as a result!
The ASE Conference is back in person this January. The Association for Science Education annual conference is a phenomenal opportunity for networking, learning and professional development. Taking place at Sheffield Hallam University 5th-7th January 2023. Come and see me on the Friday and Saturday at the following sessions:
- Friday 6th, 12-1pm Great Science Share for Schools drop-in
- Friday 6th, 2-3pm Primary pop-up resources share
- Saturday 7th, 9:30am Purposeful Practical Primary Science
- Saturday 7th, 1pm Primary Teachmeet
- Saturday 7th, 2pm STEM Careers (Primary and Secondary)
You can find the entire conference timetable here.
I’d love to see you there – come and say Hi!
Looking forward to putting some ideas into practice and a whole new year of science education before the ASE conference in 2024!