Caroline Maston: 'CREST is one of the most accessible STEM education resources for pupils with different needs'

Caroline Maston is a teacher at Armley Grange School, and previously at the Lighthouse School in Leeds, which are both specialist schools for autistic children.  
 
While at the Lighthouse School Caroline worked with then-14 year old student George, who earned a Silver CREST Award for his mechanical biscuit dunker. George’s invention was featured on the news! 
Caroline continues to run CREST with her students.

I enjoy seeing students develop their practical science skills and an enthusiasm for science. CREST projects allow students the freedom to explore the science that interests them and this can be a powerful way of encouraging students to enjoy STEM subjects and develop as learners.

CREST is one of the most accessible STEM education resources for pupils with different needs. Whenever I have spoken to the CREST team at the British Science Association (BSA) about the needs of my learners we have been listened to at the highest levels, respected and there has always been a desire on the part of the BSA to make the projects and assessment process as accessible as possible for everybody. This is very refreshing to find as someone works in SEND, and both myself and my learners could not appreciate this more.

STEM is the future. We need young people to engage in all aspects of STEM and the associated careers. Science and engineering can also be fun - too much STEM education is focused on qualifications and not about showing the joy that can be found in just doing science or engineering for the fun of it.

Joy and passion are often the reasons people stay in a field so we need to bring this joy to our learners to encourage them to pursue careers in STEM.

Pupils with additional needs are like all other pupils. The young people I work with often enjoy the ability to pursue a special interest through their STEM project. I have had projects over the years that have involved everything from armouring cats, building a playable electric bass guitar, making websites more accessible and the infamous biscuit dunking machine. I think the creativity and passion of my pupils to dream up and pursue these fun projects is what inspires me as an educator.

They find a joy in science and engineering.

Lean into your pupils interests. Even if something sounds silly or out of your comfort zone give it a go - I never thought I could build a guitar with a student but we did it. Sometimes the wildest ideas we have had as a pupil or class have been the projects that have had the most impact on our young people and given them the best opportunities.

Be open to finding alternative ways to submit evidence. Record videos, take pictures - projects don't have to be written to be submitted. Believe in your students and follow their passions and they will always surpass your expectations.

Read our case study with Caroline's then-student George, who earned a Silver CREST Award for a mechanical biscuit dunker that he designed and built.