11th – 13th September 2026

Annual ESTA Conference

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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

Register

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.

Schedule

Day One

Friday 11th September

Registration
from 14:00
Afternoon Tea
15:30
Lab Tours
from 15:00
Geothermal Campus tour
16:30
Conference Opening
19:00
Geology of Wine Talk
19:10
Buffet Dinner and Networking

20:00

Day Two

Saturday 12th September

Welcome and Introduction
08:45

Parallel Sessions

Spotlights

  • New Spec, No Stress
  • Geology: A primer for primary school teachers (and anybody else)

Exhibitors and Networking

08:50 - 09:50
Workshop One
  • Maths for Geology
10:00 - 11:00
Tea and Coffee
11:00 - 11:15
Workshop Two
  • QGIS
11:15 - 12:15
Workshop Three
  • Mantle Plumes
12:15 - 13:00
Lunch and Exhibitors
13:00 - 14:00
Keynote - Helen Reeves
14:00 - 15:00
Tea and Coffee
15:00 - 15:15
Bring and Share
15:15 - 16:45
AGM
16:45 - 17:00
Opportunities, Events and Awards
17:00 - 18:00

Evening

Conference Dinner

The Met Hotel, Leeds

After Dinner Speaker- Helen Reeves 

Welcome drinks 19:30

Day Three

Sunday 13th September

Field Trip - Roundhay Park, Leeds

Assemble at the Lakeside Cafe for a 09:30 start

9:00 – 12:30

Depart

12:30