ASE Conference – 2025

We are very pleased to attend the ASE Annual Conference at the University of Nottingham from Thursday 9th January to Saturday 11th January 2025. The ASE conference is a fantastic opportunity for you to explore our resources, receive top-tip insights and find out what we have been working on.

Resources you have seen in the drop-in:

Stem microscopy Root tip mitosis  Flower dissection
Red pepper osmosis Potometer Thin layer chromatography
Plant disease Bubbling pondweed Spinning fruits 
Algal balls Banana fluorescence  Cauliflower cloning
Teaching microscopy using plants

The SAPS Schedule – full listings on Sched

Biology Practicals that Work 

Drop-in anytime to try our reliable practicals demonstrating core biological principles. Discover relevant, engaging and affordable practicals covering a range of key curriculum topics. Try something new or troubleshoot an old favourite, join us for ten minutes or two hours. Inspiration guaranteed!   (For 11-19 teachers and technicians; ITE and trainees)

  • Thursday 9th January: 11:15-12:05, 12:15-13:05, 14:15-15:05 & 15:45-16:35.
  • Friday 10th January – 11:15-12:05, 12:15-13:05, 14:15-15:05 & 15:45-16:35.
  • Find us in the Engineering & Science Learning Centre (ESLC): room A09 B
  • This year we are sharing our drop-in space with CLEAPSS.

We will be providing the first 50 people who come along to our drop-in session each day with free posters for your classroom.

 

Developing microscopy skills: a plant-rich approach (BERG) 

This session will explore how plant contexts can enrich the teaching of microscopy. It will discuss the challenges students face when learning microscopy and suggest ways in which these can be overcome. The starting point will be about relating what we see under a microscope to the ‘everyday’ world around us, followed by looking beyond the power of the naked eye. It will discuss the development of students’ understanding of both microscopy procedures (e.g. staining) and interpretation of what we see under the microscope (e.g. a 3-D optical slice).
You’ll see plants in a new light and leave with concrete ideas to use in your teaching.

Thursday 9th January, 8:45-9:35 (Pope Building: room A34)

 

Practical work with plants for new technicians: Get the pondweed bubbling! 

Get hands-on experience with common plant-based practicals for secondary and post-16 science. Designed for those new to providing biology technical support, you will:

  • explore the preparation and set-up for plant practicals including bubbling pondweed, photosynthesis with algal balls and root tip mitosis
  • be introduced to core GCSE and A-level practical SAPS resources
  • grow your confidence sourcing, caring for and preparing live plant material
  • be introduced to further SAPS resources

Friday 10th January, 9:45-10:35 (Chemistry Building, lab: C10 A)

 

Photosynthesis: A Survival Guide

Boost your confidence teaching photosynthesis. Explore our practicals, manoeuvre through misconceptions and delve into the progress within this core topic. Designed for all teachers including both early career and experienced who want to enthuse their students with photosynthesis, you will:

  • explore and discuss the pedagogy around teaching photosynthesis
  • grow your confidence in handling common practicals
  • take away a renewed appreciation of the wonders of photosynthesis to share with your students
  • be introduced to new SAPS resources

Saturday 11th January, 9:45-10:35 (Chemistry Building, Lab: C10 A)

(For 11-19 teachers, ITE and trainees)

You can find the full listings for our sessions on Sched and you can catch us at the exhibition stand throughout the conference.

Here are some delegates from previous ASE Annual Conferences getting hands-on with SAPS practicals.

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