11th – 13th September 2026
Annual ESTA Conference
What to Expect
ESTA's Annual Conference is its flagship event - a weekend bringing together teachers, educators and Earth Science enthusiasts from across the UK. Each year we gather at a UK university to share ideas, develop practice and celebrate everything that makes Earth Science education vital and exciting.
The conference combines keynote speakers, practical workshops and field experiences with the chance to connect with colleagues who truly understand the subject. Whether you are an experienced teacher or just starting out, the ESTA Conference offers CPD you can use immediately alongside a community that will stay with you long after the weekend is over.
Practical CPD
workshops and sessions designed to deliver ideas and resources you can take straight back into the classroom
Community
a weekend surrounded by colleagues who share your passion for the subject, from classroom teachers to university educators
Expert Speakers
keynotes and presentations from leading voices in Earth Science education, research and industry
Field Experience
get out into the landscape with guided field trips that reconnect you with the science at the heart of what you teach
This year’s conference
SPOTLIGHT SESSION: NEW SPEC, NO STRESS
Switching from OCR to the WJEC Eduqas A Level Geology specification? This session, run by ESTA members already teaching the Eduqas course, gives you a clear and honest overview of what has changed, what has stayed the same, and how to adapt your existing schemes of work with confidence
11th – 13th September 2026
School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability, University of Leeds
The 59th Annual ESTA Conference takes place at the School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability, University of Leeds, 11–13 September 2026. The programme runs from Friday evening through to Sunday afternoon, combining keynote speeches, practical workshops and a Sunday field trip.
The programme will again include a mix of keynote speeches and interactive workshops, running from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon.
Highlights will include:
Lab Tours
Geophysics Demonstration
Geology of Wine Talk
Conference Dinner and after dinner speaker
Workshops and practical demonstrations including:
QGIS
Mantle Plumes
Maths for Geology
Sunday will feature a field trip.