About Us

The Association for Science Education (ASE) was formed when the Science Masters' Association (SMA) and the Association of Woman Science Teachers (AWST) amalgamated in 1963.  Through its predecessor organisations, it can trace its roots back to 1901.  ASE was awarded a Royal Charter in 2004 and is the registrar for Chartered Science Teacher (CSciTeach) status.  ASE is the largest subject professional association in the UK.  The Headquarter offices of ASE are based on the campus of the University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield.

ASE Scotland is the Scottish part of ASE and can trace its roots back to the formation of the Scottish branches of the SMA and AWST in 1947.  An Annual Scottish Science Education Conference has been held in the spring ever since 1947, with in recent years these being held each March in Dunblane Hydro and Crieff Hydro hotels.

In addition to its Annual Scottish Science Education Conference, ASE Scotland organises a range of one day Saturday conferences, Saturday morning meetings and twilight and evening meetings around the country through its four Sections, its Primary Group and outreach activities.  The four Sections of ASE Scotland are the West of Scotland, Tayside, Grampian and South East Scotland.

The ASE exists to improve the teaching of science by promoting excellence in teaching and learning in science.  It also provides a voice for those involved in science education, its Trust Deed includes promoting education:

• by providing an authoritative medium through which the opinions of teachers of science may be expressed on educational matters and
• by affording a means of communication among all persons and bodies of persons concerned with the teaching of science in particular and education in general.

The committee structure of ASE Scotland consists of:

• the ASE Scotland Committee which meets four times a year in addition to its ABM at the Annual Scottish Science education Conference and oversees all ASE activities in Scotland
• four Section Committees organising events on a more local basis
• interest and task groups such as its Primary Science Group
• the Conference Organising Group (together with representatives from SSERC) which organises the Annual Scottish Science Education Conference

ASE employs a part-time Field Officer who is based in Scotland.