Join us for a day of technician workshops at the Tonbridge School Science Technician Convention on Friday 28th March 2025, 9am – 4.15pm. Generously hosted and supported by Tonbridge School (TN10 3AD) and Colyer Fergusson Charitable Trust, this full day of training and workshops for science technicians will include biology, chemistry and physics stands, lunch and refreshments and everyone will leave with plenty of session resources!
Sessions will include hands-on practical activities and demonstrations designed to help you develop your range of skills in supporting key topics in the curriculum.
There will also be a chance to network with colleagues from across the region and browse exhibition stands showcasing nationally and locally available resources, as well as school science equipment and suppliers.
Keynote address: Dr Steve Cross – “How to be a higher-profile technician” Steve Cross helps STEM staff build their public profile and create fun events and content about their work and knowledge. Join him for 45 minutes of entertaining stories with tips and tricks stolen from people like you to help you become louder and more visible in the workplace and beyond.
Steve is a science communicator, trainer and comedian, hosting events around the world where real scientists tell jokes about their work in front of real comedy audiences. His clients include universities, corporations, government departments, museums, and the occasional cathedral. Find him at drstevecross.com or hear him on the World’s Only Science Podcast every week.
Registration is now open and will close on Sunday 16th March. Please make your workshop preferences when you book and we will do our best to accommodate your choices. Please find full workshop details below, and click on the ‘book’ button to register to attend and make your workshop choices.
UPDATE 11th November: The Science Technician Convention 2025 has proved extremely popular and is currently fully booked! We hope to repeat some of the workshop choices to enable more Technicians to attend…but we need to discuss this with our trainers first, so please bear with us. In the meantime, please join the waiting list (by clicking the ‘Book’ button) if you would like to attend and we will be in touch with further details soon. Thank you for your patience.
Download the Science Technician Convention Poster here.
Checkout issues? Book here.Workshop choices – Biology
| 1.1 Biology Practicals with Plants | KS3/4 | In this session you will explore biology practicals using plants. Discover relevant, engaging, and affordable practicals covering a range of key curriculum topics and ‘grow’ your confidence in teaching with plants! | Gail Webdell, SAPS Laboratory Technician and Senior Science Technician at the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge. |
| 1.2 DNA electrophoresis | KS5 | This workshop demonstrates essential skills for you to learn and practice, such as making agarose gels, using micropipettes, loading agarose plates with DNA samples, and setting up and running an electrophoresis chamber. This session will enable you to develop your range of skills in supporting A-level Biology. | Dr Bill Burnett is an industry professional and Head of Biology at Tonbridge School. |
| 1.3 Practical Skills in Microbiology | KS5 | This workshop will help develop your skills in supporting microbiology. You will practice aseptic techniques, pouring nutrient agar plates, creating bacterial lawns and streaks, inoculating nutrient broth, dilution plating, and observe the effect of antimicrobial remedies. Whether you are an experienced technician or new in the job, we all know practice makes perfect! | Dr Bill Burnett is an industry professional and Head of Biology at Tonbridge School. |
| 1.4 Moss Safari | KS3 | Explore the hidden world of moss! This hands-on session takes you on a journey through a microscopic jungle, where you’ll search for the ‘Big Five’ of the moss ecosystems. Perfect for Year 7 students but captivating for all ages, this activity provides an engaging introduction to microscope use, blending science and discovery in a fun, interactive way. | Julia Milligan, Senior Science Technician at Leigh Academy Halley |
| 1.5 Gingerbread Genetics | KS4 | This workshop offers a fun twist on classic genetics experiments by using gingerbread men instead of Drosophila. This quick and memorable activity allows students to complete genetic crosses in a single lesson. Easily adaptable and engaging, it’s a great way to introduce key genetic concepts in an interactive and enjoyable format. | Julia Milligan, Senior Science Technician at Leigh Academy Halley |
Workshop choices – Chemistry
| 2.1 Organic Synthesis: Preparation of Propanal from Propan-1-ol (Double length workshop) | KS5 | Preparation of Propanal from Propan-1-ol. In this experiment, you will oxidize propan-1-ol to propanal using carefully selected reagents and conditions to achieve the highest possible yield. This session will help you develop practical skills, master key techniques, and explore the reactivity of the resulting aldehyde. | Dr Chris Lawrence, experienced Chemistry teacher at Tonbridge School. |
| 2.2 Redox Iron Tablet Titration | KS5 | This practical workshop will guide participants through the process of determining the iron content in iron supplement tablets using a titration. The session will cover how to prepare a standard solution, key points of titration techniques and walk through the necessary calculations to accurately quantify the iron present in the sample. | Dr Chris Lawrence, experienced Chemistry teacher at Tonbridge School. |
| 2.3 Microscale Circus | KS3 | This engaging hands-on session explores a variety of microscale experiments. Discover fun and educational activities like using indicators, electrolysis, diffusion, and a unique ‘Escape the Classroom’ challenge. | Louise Tomlinson, Education Coordinator in South East England for the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) |
| 2.4 Implementing Sustainability | KS3 | This session looks at integrating sustainability into practical science. Engage in hands-on activities like creating sustainable batteries and explore key challenges technicians face in these practices. Learn how the RSC can support the implementation of sustainability in lab work. (24 spaces) | Louise Tomlinson, Education Coordinator in South East England for the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) |
| 2.5 Takeaway Microscale | KS4 | This session explores various microscale kits and how to implement them in your school’s science department. You’ll also build your own conductivity meter to take home. | Louise Tomlinson, Education Coordinator in South East England for the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) |
Workshop choices – Physics
| 3.1 Practical Physics for Technicians | KS3/4/5 | This hands-on session covers key topics including colour mixing, ray optics, electromagnetism, vibrations and waves, radioactivity, and electrostatics. The session will also include in-depth discussions on curriculum development and practical applications in the field. | Richard Patterson, Lead Consultant at IPC Erwin, and experienced teacher of physics. |
| 3.2 Waves and Vibrations | KS5 | This engaging workshop is tailored to support A-level Physics teaching. Explore practical demonstrations of standing waves, resonance, and simple harmonic motion (SHM). This hands-on session encourages the sharing of ideas, ensuring science technicians gain valuable insights into delivering these key physics concepts effectively in the classroom. | Ralph Fleming, Physics Teacher at Tonbridge School and Physics Partners Coach. |
| 3.3 Electricity and Magnetism | KS4 | This hands-on workshop will explore practical activities that make these complex topics accessible and engaging for students. Ralph will also highlight the relevance of electricity and magnetism to future energy needs to support GCSE Physics. Make human batteries and feel the effect of the Lorentz force. | Ralph Fleming, Physics Teacher at Tonbridge School and Physics Partners Coach. |
| 3.4 Spinning Beats | KS4 | Build your own speakers at this hands-on workshop where you’ll create two versions of homemade speakers. This interactive session also includes demonstrations of other speaker designs, perfect for showcasing at open evenings or science clubs. Put your skills to the test—who can build the loudest speaker? | Paul Cook, Senior Lead Technician at Ark Burlington Danes Academy and Physic Partners Coach. |
| 3.5 Current Affairs | Practical Circuitry for Non-Physics Specialists. This session, aimed at non-physics professionals, will cover key concepts like series and parallel circuits, with practical guidance on using multimeters. Paul will also share tips for handling everyday circuitry tasks, ideal for technicians seeking practical solutions. (24 places) | Paul Cook, Senior Lead Technician at Ark Burlington Danes Academy and Physic Partners Coach. |
Workshop choices – General
| 4.1Escape/puzzle rooms | KS3 | This hands-on workshop looks at ideas for escape/puzzle rooms in science. | Fenella Dansie, Senior Biology technician at Hills Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge and Gail Webdell, SAPS Laboratory Technician and Senior Science Technician at the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge. |
| 4.2 Raising technicians’ profiles with the Royal Microscopical Society (RMS) | N/A | This informative workshop highlights the ways the RMS can support you and your school in terms of professional development (RSciTech, Chartered Microscopist status and Diploma programmes), access to equipment (such as help in purchasing microscopes), or small hands-on training courses to help explore school science technicians’ full professional potential. (72 spaces) | Sali Davis, Chief Executive RMS, Kate Wooding (RMS Events and Outreach Manager) and Ramona Szalczinger (RMS Diploma candidate). |
| 4.3 Professional recognition for technicians through registration | N/A | Professional registration can be invaluable to recognise technicians’ skills, knowledge and professionalism. Achieving Registered Science Technician status can provide independent recognition of achieving and maintaining the exacting standards required to join a global community of professional scientists. In this workshop, Catherine from the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) will discuss professional registration, the benefits of becoming a Registered Science Technician, and how the award can support recognition of the skills gained through your professional experience, as well as additional RSC member benefit. By the end of the session, attendees will: Know what professional registration is and understand the relevance and benefits for technicians. Have an overview of what the application process entails. Learn more about the RSC’s support for technicians. Know where to get support from. | Catherine Perry, RSciTech MRSC, Professional Registration Specialist, Royal Society of Chemistry. |
| 4.4 Tips, tricks, and practical science on a budget | N/A | This workshop covers budget-friendly tips, and subject-specific advice. The workshop includes practical tips, discussion-based learning, and advice on affordable purchasing strategies. | Mark Ridgway, David Leng and Nicholas Trimmings, Technicians’ from Hayes School Bromley. |
Programme timing
9:00 – 9:20 Registration
9:20 – 9:30 Welcome
9:35 – 10:25 Workshop One – choices
10:30 – 11:20 Workshop Two – choices
11:20 – 11:45 Break
11:45 – 12:35 Workshop Three – choices
12:35 – 13:35 Lunch
13:35 – 14:25 Workshop Four – choices
14:30 – 15:10 Workshop Five – choices
15:15 – 16:00 Keynote: Steve Cross
16:00 – 16:15 Raffle/Farewell