What is CREST?

Features of CREST

Student-led

CREST is a nationally recognised scheme for student-led project work in the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths).

Trusted

A consistent and high standard of assessment and moderation is achieved for the scheme via our network of industry experts from the STEM and education sectors. It has been running since 1986 and sees tens of thousands of young people taking part each year.

Accessible

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.

How to run CREST

There are many ways to run CREST with your students and we have developed the levels to fit the various needs of educators and young people. We provide comprehensive guides for you and your students available for download on our resource library, as well activities, project ideas and inspiration to get you started.

Star and SuperStar

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.

You can download CREST Star and SuperStar passport templates for your students to track their progress once you create your account.

Within four weeks of payment, you will receive certificates and fabric badges to give out to your class.

Discovery

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!

We have created a range of teacher packs which include timetables for the sessions, teaching resources and student workbooks to help you run these fun, one-day challenges.

Bronze

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.

Upon completion, we ask that you upload a sample of your students’ work on our online platform, for moderation purposes.

You will be sent your students’ personalised CREST certificates within four weeks of the project’s submission.

Silver and Gold

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.

All Silver and Gold level projects are assessed externally via our online platform. The CREST assessors are trained experts across all areas of STEM and assess the projects online against the CREST assessment criteria.

Once the project has been submitted, paid for and passed by our assessors, we will send out the personalised CREST certificates. In total, assessment and processing can take up to six weeks.