CREST Awards is the British Science Association’s flagship programme for young people, providing science enrichment activities to inspire and engage 3-to-19-year olds. It is a nationally recognised scheme for student-led project work in the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths).

CREST Awards has its own website: www.crestawards.org where you can find more detailed information including how to apply.

CREST gives young people aged 3–19 the chance to choose their own subject and methodology when completing their hands-on investigation.

Our network of STEM and education industry experts provide a consistent and high standard of assessment for each of the projects. It has been running since 1986 and sees tens of thousands of young people taking part each year.

CREST provides activities and project ideas for a range of ages, group size and abilities. From off-the-shelf, one-hour long challenges through to large-scale, student-led projects of over 70 hours work or more, CREST can be done by anyone.

There are CREST activities to suit all ages and abilities.

Primary levels (for children typically aged 3-7 and 7-11)

Star and SuperStar levels are designed to be easy-to-run and low-cost for children typically aged 3-7 and 7-11 years. Children gain an Award by completing eight challenges, which are available to download from our resource library. We also provide helpful tips sheets for you to use, explaining the scientific themes and offering guidance on conversation topics for your children.

Discovery level (for students typically aged 10-14)

The Discovery level is sometimes known as “CREST in a day”. Students typically aged 10-14 work in small teams to complete the project over five hours and present their work at the end of the day. All students have a role in the project, putting communication, teamwork and project management skills into action!

Secondary levels (for students aged 11+)

The Bronze level is a perfect introduction to STEM project work for young people aged 11+. Over the course of 10 hours, teams of students design their own investigation and record their findings, giving them a taste of what it is like to be a scientist or engineer in the real-world. The Bronze level works well in a STEM club setting or as something that is completed across a term, although there is no deadline for completion. The projects are assessed by the teacher or leader against the CREST assessment criteria.

The Silver and Gold levels are designed to stretch your students. They are long-term, in-depth projects that are run by the students themselves. Students choose the topic and type of project they want to run. Silver projects are typically completed by students aged 14+ years and Gold by students aged 16+.

At this level, students are encouraged to collaborate with a CREST mentor – an academic or person from industry with expertise in their project’s theme. CREST Silver and Gold Awards are highly sought after, and are a good way to enhance a student’s UCAS personal statement or CV.

What teachers are saying about CREST

The children really engaged with it as a goal to work towards, and the feedback from them and parents has been so positive. Lots of children have stated that it was their favourite part of the lockdown resources provided by the school, so I think that is definitely a good sign! 

- Alicia Davies, Teacher, Wales 

We're providing school for vulnerable children & the children of critical workers at present, which means children are in some unusual classes, covering a wide range of year groups. Running CREST Awards for a morning each week has been a great way to provide a learning experience which works for children at a wide range of levels, in a fun, accessible way. Our Thursday morning science slots have become a highlight of the week, and the way that the activity cards are organised has made this a really easy session for me to set-up and resource, too. 

- David, CREST teacher, England

Getting started

We have some handy guides to help anyone new to CREST get going with their project. View them for:

Primary                                        Discovery                                 Secondary

Got a question about CREST? Try the CREST website, our Help Centre or our FAQ section.

Familiar with CREST and know what you're looking for?  

Try these quick links:

• CREST Awards website
• Resource library
• Making the most of CREST
• Information about the benefits of CREST
• Accredited resources
• Regional Support Organisations 
• Project ideas