Challenge, Change and Joy in Teaching Chemistry

“CHANGE, CHALLENGE AND JOY IN TEACHING CHEMISTRY”

A one day conference organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry Secondary and Further Education Group (SaFE) to be held at:

St Paul’s School, Lonsdale Road, London, SW13 9JT, UK

Tuesday 7th July 2026

Bursaries are available for attendance*

DRAFT PROGRAMME  9.00 – 16.00

9.00  – 10.00  Arrival, Registration and Tea/Coffee

Welcome to St Paul’s School and the Conference 

Keynote Talk   Ever Decreasing Chemistry

Bob Worley  RSC Excellence in Chemistry Education Award Winner

Bob will describe how practical chemistry can be made safe, sustainable and enjoyable through easily accessible observations and measurements on a small scale. 

Refreshments

Morning Sessions  10.00 -12.15

Curriculum Planning through Threshold Concepts Dr Zoe Thorn

The Use of AI in Chemistry Dr Gleb Aleshin

Lunch

Afternoon Sessions  13.15 – 16.00

Breakout Session A

Refreshments

Breakout Session B

Plenary Talk  

Think like a chemist: even if the teenagers aren’t fully convinced  

Dr  Katherine Haxton  University of Keele

Prizes and closing comments  

**Choice of two from 4 workshop/breakout sessions

1.  Curriculum Planning Through Threshold Concepts Dr Zoe Thorn

2.  CPAC and A level Chemistry assessment Peter Hoare and Andy Long

3.  Practical Chemistry Maureen Wade

4.  Literacy and Maths Skills for Chemistry Chrissie Maitland