Association for Science Education

Association for Science Education
Name	Association for Science Education
Abbreviation	ASE
Formation	1963
Type	Professional association
Headquarters	York
Region served	United Kingdom

Contents

Association for Science Education is a professional UK-based organisation supporting teachers and practitioners involved with science teaching in schools and colleges. It connects professionals across institutions such as University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Imperial College London, University of Manchester, and University of Edinburgh while engaging with policy bodies including Department for Education (United Kingdom), Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills, Education Select Committee, Royal Society, and British Science Association. The organisation collaborates with curriculum developers from Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, assessment agencies like Ofqual, and international partners such as UNESCO, OECD, International Council of Associations for Science Education, and European Commission.

History

Founded in 1963 amid curricular reforms linked to events including the Sputnik crisis, the organisation drew early influence from committees chaired by figures associated with Royal Society, Nuffield Foundation, Department of Education and Science (United Kingdom), Tomlinson Report (1967), and James Report. Early leadership included educators and researchers from King's College London, London School of Economics, University of Leeds, University of Birmingham, and University College London. Over decades it responded to developments such as the introduction of the National Curriculum (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), reforms led by Kenneth Baker, and assessment changes overseen by Gilbert Advisory Group. The association’s history intersects with organisations like National Union of Teachers, Association of Teachers and Lecturers, GaTE, and campaigns influenced by reports from House of Commons Science and Technology Committee.

The organisation’s mission emphasises professional development for classroom practitioners, curriculum advisers, and teacher educators, collaborating with institutions including Institute of Physics, Royal Society of Chemistry, Biological Sciences Curriculum Study, Wellcome Trust, and Royal Society of Biology. Activities target classroom practice, assessment literacy, and subject leadership, engaging stakeholders such as local education authorities, regional centres like York Science Park, and charity partners including Education Endowment Foundation and Nesta. The association runs projects aligned with standards set by entities like Office for Students and works alongside examination boards such as AQA, OCR, and Edexcel to address issues raised by bodies including Equality and Human Rights Commission and Health and Safety Executive.

Membership spans classroom teachers, school leaders, teacher educators, technicians, and trainees drawn from employers including Academies Enterprise Trust, Trinity Multi Academy Trust, Eton College, Harrow School, and further education colleges linked to City and Guilds of London Institute. Governance structures involve an elected council, elected officers, and committees reflecting practice across regions represented by organisations such as National Association of Head Teachers, Association of School and College Leaders, and devolved administrations like Scottish Government and Welsh Government. Corporate partnerships and patronage have included trustees with ties to Royal Society, Wellcome Trust, British Council, and higher education institutions including University of Warwick and University of Glasgow.

The organisation publishes journals, guidance, and teaching materials interacting with scholarship from Journal of Research in Science Teaching, International Journal of Science Education, Science Education (journal), Science & Education (journal), and reports from Nesta and Education Endowment Foundation. Resources support subject knowledge and pedagogy, drawing on expertise from contributors affiliated with The Open University, University of Bristol, University of Surrey, Durham University, and museums such as Science Museum, London, Natural History Museum, London, and National Science and Media Museum. Publications address assessment frameworks used by Cambridge Assessment, curriculum models linked to Scottish Qualifications Authority, and inspection criteria referenced by Estyn and Education Scotland.

National and regional conferences bring together practitioners, researchers, and policy-makers from organisations like British Association for the Advancement of Science, Royal Society of Chemistry, Institute of Physics, Society for Education and Training, and international delegates from European Science Education Research Association, International Science Teachers Association, and American Association of Physics Teachers. Training offerings include continuing professional development accredited by bodies such as Chartered College of Teaching, National College for Teaching and Leadership, and partnerships with teacher training providers like Teach First and university-based PGCE programmes at University of Liverpool, University of Nottingham, and University of York. Events range from specialist workshops for technicians associated with Society for Education and Training to large-scale annual conferences held in venues across Leeds, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, and London.

The organisation administers recognition schemes, fellowships, and awards celebrating outstanding practice and research, comparable to honours from Royal Society, Wellcome Trust, Royal Society of Biology, Institute of Physics, and teaching awards coordinated with Pearson Teaching Awards and local authorities. Award winners often include teachers seconded from schools such as St Paul's School, London, Manchester Grammar School, Nottingham High School, and HE colleagues from Queen Mary University of London, University of Exeter, and Cardiff University. External recognition has linked the association to national policy consultations in partnership with House of Commons Education Committee and collaborative initiatives supported by John Lyon's Charity and Wolfson Foundation.