CREST helps young people become independent and reflective learners through enquiry-based project work.
CREST Awards are flexible and cost effective. They can be run in schools, clubs or at home. With no set timetable, projects can start whenever you want, and take as long as you need.
The impact of CREST in 2021/22
The latest CREST Awards impact report, released in July 2023 by the British Science Association, reveals the ways in which CREST has boosted science engagement opportunities for students, teachers and employers across the UK during the 2021/22 academic year.
CREST Discovery Days report summary
We ran a funded programme of CREST Discovery Awards with schools across the UK, and teacher training run by our regional partners to support and up-skill teachers to run Discovery Days themselves.
Here is what we found in the programme.
CREST in curriculum report summary
‘CREST: Building project work into the curriculum’ project, supported by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, was to encourage more schools to use open-ended student projects within the formal curriculum, with information specifically tailored to CREST, and for this to have a positive effect on students.
CREST is respected by universities and employers and enhances students’ UCAS personal statements.
CREST can be used in conjunction with other activities and schemes, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Extended Project Qualifications (EPQs) and the Big Bang Competition. Details on how to use CREST with these and other schemes is available on our Help Centre.
“We wanted to link to CREST because it’s so well regarded in the STEM and education sector”
CREST is available to anyone aged 3–19, regardless of ability. Participants choose topics they’re passionate about and set their own rate of progress.
“The independent learning skills of CREST pupils have come on leaps and bounds”
The CREST Awards scheme is Government subsidised in the UK, but we charge a small per-student cost to cover management and administration. Fees start at £1 for CREST Star through to £20 for CREST Gold Awards (which require external assessment. The cost of assessment is included in the Award fee).
You may by eligible for funding or a grant - check out the opportunities available.
We provide a range of activities and ideas to help inspire young people, as well as useful guides for those facilitating the challenges. Visit our online library to see the full range of resources.
Our CREST assessors are trained experts in their fields and provide informed, detailed and constructive feedback to CREST participants.
Students who participate in CREST Silver achieve higher grades and are more likely to study STEM subjects at AS level. The benefits are magnified for disadvantaged students.
1/2
2/3
21%
38%
View the full version of our Silver Impact Report, published in 2017.
It’s easy: choose an award level and start running CREST today!
The CREST Awards Help Centre has detailed information on every aspect of creating and managing CREST Awards.
