Undertaking a CREST Award (or Awards) is a bit like a journey, supporting you from your starting point through to completing a good quality project and learning plenty along the way.

Step 1: Choosing a Project.

You can do a CREST Award at school/college, a club, through an accredited scheme or independently.  

You can choose from three categories of CREST Project:

• Research
• Investigation/Design and Make
• Science Communication

Each type of project can be awarded at a Bronze, Silver or Gold level, which is the most in depth.  To find out more about the three CREST levels, click here

CREST Project ideas can be created by students, teachers, local companies or a link scheme.  To see which schemes can link to CREST, click here

You can also use our bank of free CREST projects ideas.  To download our free resources, click here

Step 2: Getting Started.

• Contact your CREST Local Coordinator, they will provide you with guidance and help you through our simple registration process. To find your CREST Local Coordinator, click here
• Once registered you will be provided with a student profile form, which encourages you to record the process you undertake while doing your project. 
• If you are doing a Silver or Gold level CREST Award, your Local Coordinator can help you find a mentor with specialist knowledge to support you during your CREST project
• To see what other support your CREST Local Coordinator can offer you, click here

Step 3: Assessment.

Successful students will receive a personalised CREST certificate after their project is assessed.  To read more about the CREST assessment process, click here

• Bronze CREST Awards are assessed internally by another teacher or leader from the school
• Silver and Gold CREST Awards are assessed externally, this will be arranged by your CREST Local Coordinator

Step 4: Continuing the Journey.

• CREST Alumni network:  keeping CREST students up to date with the latest news on competitions, events and other opportunities.  To read more about the CREST Alumni network, click here
• The Big Bang Regional Fairs: CREST students are invited to exhibit their projects at regional fairs and present them to local experts in science and engineering, increasing confidence and presentation skills. They may also be interested in competing at a regional level in the National Science + Engineering Competition.  To read more about Big Bang Fairs, click here
• National Science + Engineering Competition: CREST students can enter the National Science + Engineering Competition and may go on to qualify for finals which take place at The Big Bang Fair -a significant, national event for youth science and engineering.  To read more about NSEC, click here
• International Jet Set: CREST has a reputation for taking students to competitions around the world, like Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in the USA.  To read more about ISEF, click here