ASE 2027 Annual Conference

This session aims to enable participants to:

• Understand how children’s thinking scientifically can be assessed meaningfully in outdoor primary science
• Explore a research informed Thinking Scientifically Assessment Matrix that supports progression across primary phases
• Engage with examples of how the matrix has been co designed and trialled with experienced teachers in real classrooms
• Consider how assessment can strengthen, rather than constrain, outdoor science learning
• Reflect on how a shared assessment framework can support trainee teachers, Early Career Teachers and whole school professional learning

Outdoor science offers rich opportunities for curiosity, talk, investigation, and sense making; yet many teachers report uncertainty about how to assess thinking in these spaces. In this interactive session, participants will be introduced to a Thinking Scientifically Assessment Matrix designed to support assessment for learning in outdoor primary science. They will explore how the matrix makes children’s scientific thinking visible, supports progression over time, and aligns with everyday classroom practice rather than adding to the teacher's workload. Drawing on real examples from classrooms, the session will share how teachers have trialled the matrix outdoors, what has been learned through co-design, and how assessment has been embedded into practical, exploratory learning. Participants will be invited to engage with sample learning scenarios, consider where evidence of thinking might be captured, and reflect on how a shared framework could support consistency across year groups or within professional learning communities. The session will be relevant for classroom teachers, subject leaders, mentors, and those supporting teacher development.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
• Identify key features of progression in children’s scientific thinking across the primary age range, in outdoor contexts.
• Use an assessment matrix to recognise and interpret evidence of thinking in outdoor science lessons
• Adapt assessment approaches to support exploratory, enquiry rich learning
• Apply shared assessment language to support planning, reflection, and professional dialogue within and across schools
• Support trainee teachers and Early Career Teachers in developing confidence with assessment of primary science, particularly in outdoor and enquiry based contexts
• Integrate a research informed assessment framework within ITE programmes to strengthen coherence between university based theory and school based practice
• Consider next steps for embedding the assessment of thinking scientifically within their own settings

This session draws on EdD research, which focused on the creation and application of a Thinking Scientifically Assessment Matrix designed to articulate progression in children’s scientific thinking. The research explored how early career teachers used the matrix to support planning, teaching, and assessment in primary science, particularly in outdoor learning contexts, where assessment is often perceived as challenging or impractical. Building on this work, I am currently collaborating with experienced primary teachers through a structured programme of professional learning and classroom trialling. Together, we are refining the matrix through lesson observations, peer discussion, and shared analysis of children’s learning. This knowledge exchange approach values teacher expertise alongside research informed pedagogy, with the long term aim of making outdoor science learning assessable, sustainable, and impactful beyond the Early Years.

This CPD session explores how science teachers can effectively plan for and support strong progression in practical work from KS3 through to KS5. Moving beyond isolated experiments, the session focuses on how practical skills develop over time, building from curiosity and engagement in KS3 to confidence, independence, and precision at A-Level. Teachers will consider how to sequence practical experiences, reinforce key skills, and ensure students are well-prepared for the increasing demands of assessed practical work. The session emphasises the importance of coherence and continuity in developing scientifically skilled and confident learners.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
> Identify the key components of effective practical progression from KS3 to KS5.
> Recognise gaps and inconsistencies in students’ practical skills development.
> Apply strategies to support a coherent and purposeful approach to practical work across the curriculum.

The session will explore what effective practical progression looks like across the secondary phase, using examples to highlight how skills can be built and revisited over time. Teachers will engage in activities to map practical skills, analyse current practice, and identify opportunities to strengthen progression. Through discussion and practical approaches, participants will develop strategies to ensure students move from early curiosity to confident, capable practical scientists by the end of KS5.

This CPD session supports science teachers in developing a deeper understanding of standard demand questions in science assessments. Often forming the core of exam papers, these questions require students to apply knowledge accurately and interpret information with precision. However, many learners struggle to translate their understanding into secure responses.

This session explores what makes standard demand questions challenging and how teachers can better prepare students to meet these expectations. By focusing on the link between knowledge, application, and exam technique, teachers will be equipped to strengthen student performance in this crucial area.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Identify the defining features of standard demand questions in science assessments and mark schemes.
Recognise common student errors, misconceptions, and gaps in application.
Apply strategies to support students in interpreting and responding accurately to standard demand questions.

The session will explore the structure and demands of standard demand questions, using real assessment materials to highlight where students commonly succeed and struggle. Teachers will engage in activities to analyse question types, review authentic student responses, and unpick the skills required for success. Through discussion and practical strategies, participants will develop approaches to help students improve accuracy, confidence, and consistency when tackling this essential component of science assessments.

This talk and discussion is a tribute to Professor Paul Black, whose pioneering work in classroom assessment practices for around 40 years transformed the way that assessment is used to help children learn.

While most teachers are aware of Assessment for Learning, many do not know its origins and the reasons why and how formative assessment has become more valued and recognised in promoting learning. This talk goes back to the seminal paper and the studies that Paul Black and Dylan Wiliam considered in their review of formative assessment that they published in 1998. It will look at studies  done by the King's team from 1999- 2026 by considering vignettes  of classroom practice and snippets of classroom interactions, so that you can understand some of the reasons project teachers began to change their classroom assessment practices. It will then challenge the audience to think about the classroom assessment they do,or they support others in doing, and explore how assessment has shaped and focused their teaching and impacted on the ways that children learn.

Paul Black passed away peacefully on May 16th 2026, leaving a profound legacy in science education and assessment; his impact has been phenomenal and continues to influence teachers of all phases and at all stages of their career.

This session will explore:
• Teachers and students’ perceptions on the effectiveness of student-led questioning and feedback in engaging students in science.
• Share a more effective model of classroom discourse and how it has enhanced teaching and learning in the science classroom.
• Provide participants opportunities to share ideas and knowledge on pedagogical approaches to authentic assessments and opportunities for collaboration.

To address the underlying concerns regarding students’ learning in science, a more responsive teaching approach and assessments are relevant. This must be student-led to promote self-regulation, feedback, identify areas of weaknesses and support peers in the process (Chen & Chang, 2022). This can be facilitated through a constructivist learning environment where students can collaboratively share knowledge and ideas whilst making meaning from different concepts (EEF, 2024), with added benefits of reducing cognitive load.

This presentation will:
• Share how we trained students to use taxonomy of learning to create questions for their peers through modelling and locating these question types within their epistemological framework for learning (Elby & Hammer, 2010).
• Discuss how the OSLA (2012) model was used to assess and grade students’ presentations and implications on learning.
• Highlight teachers’ roles as facilitators of learning and reviewers of epistemological resources and framing (Elby & Hammer, 2010).
• Discuss how problem-based learning (PBL) was used to develop problems and scenarios used in the study, and how this promoted pedagogy and students’ learning.

By attending the session, participants can learn from the approach to this study as discussed above and would be able to contribute other areas not mentioned, share knowledge and network with others for future research collaboration.

Background information: Working with various secondary schools and teachers has enabled me to provide different types of support ranging from research to pedagogy and linking theory to practice. This presentation is inspired by research conducted in a secondary school with science teachers and their students. At the time, the school was concerned about students’ lack of interests in science and poor outcomes from GCSEs. This became an opportunity for me to conduct research and find possible means to improve teaching and learning at the school. I was familiar with the school due to insider knowledge in the science department and from working with the science teachers. The school was in one of London’s deprived Boroughs where achievements is below the national average and fewer students move on to post-16 let alone studying science subjects at A’ levels and BTEC.

How can children’s misconceptions be identified and addressed to secure scientific understanding?

This session explores how formative assessment approaches can be used not just to identify misconceptions, but to inform responsive teaching and curriculum planning. Drawing on their own extensive experience in the classroom and from working with hundreds of teachers in primary schools, the presenters will share practical strategies, diagnostic tools and planning approaches that help teachers discover and tackle common misunderstandings in science. Participants will leave with materials for adapting sequences of learning, examples of pupil thinking and tested classroom-ready resources that make a difference to developing more accurate scientific thinking.

This session is aimed at classroom teachers and science leaders, and aims to:

• Share evidence from research, including issues common misconceptions that children hold.
• Discuss evidence-informed resources and practical strategies that teachers can use to understand and address common misconceptions that children hold in science. Examples will be used from schools that have trialled these materials and approaches and reflected on their effectiveness
• Give participants opportunity to try out and discuss some of the resources to identify their own misconceptions
• Encourage participants to reflect on which strategies might be most useful to address the needs of the children in their schools, and begin to plan how to audit, implement and review actions to adapt teaching and planning.

Our dedicated Chair Trio invite you to drop-in to the “Chair-Chat” sessions on one of the days of Annual Conference 2027. The Chair is a vital role to the ASE, and the elected Chair provides an authoritative voice for the thousands of members that the ASE supports, along with those working within the wider science education community. Those elected remain part of our Chair Trio for 3 years.

Got a question? Ever wondered about what goes on behind the scenes? Ever thought about getting involved in Committee activities? Are you wanting to know more about Professional Registration or writing an article in one of the ASE journals? First time attending our flagship Conference?

If this is your first ASE Conference, then please come along and say Hello.

We look forward to hearing your questions and will endeavour to answer them or point you in a selection of possible right directions!