Free CREST in Scotland
From 20 August 2025, CREST Awards are completely free to for all young people aged 3–19 in Scotland, thanks to the generous support from the James Weir Foundation.
How to claim your free CREST Awards
If you are in Scotland, you can apply for CREST Awards at no cost.
Scottish applicants can use a voucher code in the payment stage. The code will remove all application fees automatically.
The codes are distributed via our teacher and partner networks via email. If you haven’t got a code, you can request one by emailing us at crest@britishscienceassociation.org
How to run CREST
Explore
Explore the free activities and challenges in our Resource Library, or get creative and work on a project of your own choice.
Experiment
Your learners then complete their activities or projects, developing STEM skills and experience.
Submit
Create a free account on our application platform
Then complete your application for your CREST Awards. Use your voucher code in the payment stage.
Don't have a voucher? Get in touch at crest@britishscienceassociation.org
Achieve
After submitting all the project information, your application will be assessed. Certificates will be delivered to your Scottish delivery address for free!
Don’t know where to start? Find help here
Search what you need
From free teaching resources, inspiring success stories, or guidance on getting started with CREST, we can help. Just enter your query to find the tools and insights that will support you in bringing STEM to life.
Popular searches
Recommended resources
- This mapping tool is designed to support secondary science educators identify relevant investigative CREST projects which link to the curriculum in Scotland, by level and area of learning.#Secondary#Curriculum#Mapping#Scotland
- This resource is designed to help you use CREST Star and SuperStar challenges as part of your teaching, by mapping the activities against some of the themes and topics found in the primary curriculum for England, Nort...#Star#SuperStar#Primary#Curriculum
- This resource shows you how to embed open-ended, investigative practical work into the secondary science curriculum, and the impact this can have on your students.#Secondary#Curriculum#Projects#Investigate
- This Bronze project has been designed and adapted for students with SEND. This teacher guide will support you to run the 10 hours of project work needed for your students to achieve a Bronze CREST Award. It comes with...#Materials#Food#SEND
- This collection of CREST Star challenges allows children to explore everyday problems using science. Once they have completed at least six of the activities they can be awarded with a CREST Star certificate to recogni...#Investigate#Experiment#Create#Discover
Get inspired
Case studyPosted:19 August 2025Bringing chemistry and photography together with CREST
Case studyPosted:20 January 2023Dunking a biscuit in tea? That can be a CREST Awards project!
Case studyPosted:4 April 2023How CREST Awards can boost UCAS applications and university admission interviews
Case studyPosted:17 June 2024Widening access to STEM resources for SEND learners
Case studyPosted:6 December 2023CREST Awards and design & technology – perfect bedfellows
Check our FAQs
From 20 August 2025, CREST Awards are completely free to for all young people aged 3–19 in Scotland, thanks to the generous support from the James Weir Foundation.
Find out more on our Free CREST in Scotland page.
Scottish applicants can use a voucher code in the payment stage. The code will remove all application fees automatically.
The codes are distributed via our teacher and partner networks via email. If you haven’t got a code, you can request one by emailing us at crest@britishscienceassociation.org.
You will be prompted to enter your Voucher Code during the payment task on our application platform https://apply.crestawards.org/.
If you are in Scotland, you can apply for CREST Awards at no cost.
Scottish applicants can use a voucher code in the payment stage. The code will remove all application fees automatically.
The codes are distributed via our teacher and partner networks via email. If you haven’t got a code, you can request one by emailing us at crest@britishscienceassociation.org.
CREST offers educators an easy-to-run framework for curriculum enhancement and is student-led, encouraging young people to take ownership of their own projects. CREST can be run in schools, clubs, youth groups, other organisations or at home.
Plan and get started
Explore our free activities in the Resource Library and choose your activities or projects.
Run your activities or complete your project
Run your selected activities or complete your own project.
Apply for the Award
Create a free account on our application platform to order for your certificates. Complete the application, pay for the certificates and they will be delivered to your delivery address. For Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards, an assessment is required before students achieve the Award.
Achieve!
Celebrate your students' incredible achievement as they earn their CREST Awards. Share your experience with us -- email us, tell us in the survey, or tag us in your posts. Let's spread the joy and inspire others with the children's success!
You can apply for students (or yourself, for Silver and Gold CREST Awards) using our application platform. Create projects, add details, upload project work for Bronze, Silver and Gold, and pay your entry fees. For Silver and Gold this is where your project will be assessed by our trained assessors.
To choose the right CREST Award for your students, think about their age and ability, and how much time they can commit to the project.
These age ranges are just a guideline.
If you need help in choosing an award level or helping your students to design an appropriate project email CREST Support at crest@britishscienceassociation.org.
Read more about award levels in our article CREST Award levels overview.
Star Awards
Star Awards are typically completed by 3-7 year olds. Students complete a series of 6 to 8 Star challenges, recording them in a Star passport and building up to a Star Award. Activities are designed to last about an hour, and you don't need to be a teacher or have a science background to run them. Each activity includes an organiser’s card with instructions, highlighted safety points and a resource list.
SuperStar Awards
SuperStar Awards are typically completed by 7-11 year olds. Students complete a series of 6 to 8 SuperStar challenges, recording them in a SuperStar passport and building up to a SuperStar Award. Activities are designed to last about an hour, and you don't need to be a teacher or have a science background to run them. Each activity includes an organiser’s card with instructions, highlighted safety points and a resource list.
Discovery Awards
Discovery Awards are typically completed by 11-14-year-olds. A Discovery project involves five or more hours of group work, assessed by the teacher or group leader. Students usually complete their project during a Discovery Day, using a Discovery Passport to help structure and reflect on their work.
Bronze Awards
Bronze Awards are typically completed by 11+ year-olds. A Bronze project involves 10 or more hours of individual or group work, assessed by the teacher or group leader. When working in a group, each student needs to complete 10+ hours of work to achieve their Award. For Bronze Awards, students use a workbook or profile form to help structure and reflect on their work.
Silver Awards
Silver Awards are typically completed by 14+ year-olds. A Silver project involves 30 or more hours of group work, leading to a written report. When working in a group, each student needs to complete 30+ hours of work to achieve their Award. Silver Awards are assessed externally by a BSA representative. When submitting a project for assessment, students include a profile form that includes space for them to reflect on their work.
Gold Awards
Gold Awards are typically completed by 16+ year-olds. A Gold project involves 70 or more hours of group work, leading to a written report. When working in a group, each student needs to complete 70+ hours of work to achieve their Award. Gold Awards are assessed externally by a BSA representative. When submitting a project for assessment, students include a profile form that includes space for them to reflect on their work.
If your voucher code is not working, this could be for a number of reasons.
Is your delivery address in Scotland?
If you are using a 'Free CREST in Scotland' voucher code, these will only work with a Scotland delivery address.
Have you typed in the correct code?
It sounds simple, but it's always good to be sure! Check that you have spelled the code correctly, using the correct upper/lowercase format.
Is the voucher still in date?
Most vouchers are time sensitive. Check that you are using the voucher within the correct period of time.
Are you using the voucher on the correct Award level?
Not every voucher is available for every level or region. Some will only be for Bronze awards and not Discovery - or vice versa. If you were provided with the voucher code by an external organisation, check when and for what you can use a voucher code.
If you are still having an issue. email CREST Support at crest@britishscienceassociation.org
From 20 August 2025, CREST Awards are completely free to for all young people aged 3–19 in Scotland, thanks to the generous support from the James Weir Foundation.
Find out more on our Free CREST in Scotland page.
Scottish applicants can use a voucher code in the payment stage. The code will remove all application fees automatically.
The codes are distributed via our teacher and partner networks via email. If you haven’t got a code, you can request one by emailing us at crest@britishscienceassociation.org.
You will be prompted to enter your Voucher Code during the payment task on our application platform https://apply.crestawards.org/.
If you are in Scotland, you can apply for CREST Awards at no cost.
Scottish applicants can use a voucher code in the payment stage. The code will remove all application fees automatically.
The codes are distributed via our teacher and partner networks via email. If you haven’t got a code, you can request one by emailing us at crest@britishscienceassociation.org.
CREST offers educators an easy-to-run framework for curriculum enhancement and is student-led, encouraging young people to take ownership of their own projects. CREST can be run in schools, clubs, youth groups, other organisations or at home.
Plan and get started
Explore our free activities in the Resource Library and choose your activities or projects.
Run your activities or complete your project
Run your selected activities or complete your own project.
Apply for the Award
Create a free account on our application platform to order for your certificates. Complete the application, pay for the certificates and they will be delivered to your delivery address. For Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards, an assessment is required before students achieve the Award.
Achieve!
Celebrate your students' incredible achievement as they earn their CREST Awards. Share your experience with us -- email us, tell us in the survey, or tag us in your posts. Let's spread the joy and inspire others with the children's success!
You can apply for students (or yourself, for Silver and Gold CREST Awards) using our application platform. Create projects, add details, upload project work for Bronze, Silver and Gold, and pay your entry fees. For Silver and Gold this is where your project will be assessed by our trained assessors.
To choose the right CREST Award for your students, think about their age and ability, and how much time they can commit to the project.
These age ranges are just a guideline.
If you need help in choosing an award level or helping your students to design an appropriate project email CREST Support at crest@britishscienceassociation.org.
Read more about award levels in our article CREST Award levels overview.
Star Awards
Star Awards are typically completed by 3-7 year olds. Students complete a series of 6 to 8 Star challenges, recording them in a Star passport and building up to a Star Award. Activities are designed to last about an hour, and you don't need to be a teacher or have a science background to run them. Each activity includes an organiser’s card with instructions, highlighted safety points and a resource list.
SuperStar Awards
SuperStar Awards are typically completed by 7-11 year olds. Students complete a series of 6 to 8 SuperStar challenges, recording them in a SuperStar passport and building up to a SuperStar Award. Activities are designed to last about an hour, and you don't need to be a teacher or have a science background to run them. Each activity includes an organiser’s card with instructions, highlighted safety points and a resource list.
Discovery Awards
Discovery Awards are typically completed by 11-14-year-olds. A Discovery project involves five or more hours of group work, assessed by the teacher or group leader. Students usually complete their project during a Discovery Day, using a Discovery Passport to help structure and reflect on their work.
Bronze Awards
Bronze Awards are typically completed by 11+ year-olds. A Bronze project involves 10 or more hours of individual or group work, assessed by the teacher or group leader. When working in a group, each student needs to complete 10+ hours of work to achieve their Award. For Bronze Awards, students use a workbook or profile form to help structure and reflect on their work.
Silver Awards
Silver Awards are typically completed by 14+ year-olds. A Silver project involves 30 or more hours of group work, leading to a written report. When working in a group, each student needs to complete 30+ hours of work to achieve their Award. Silver Awards are assessed externally by a BSA representative. When submitting a project for assessment, students include a profile form that includes space for them to reflect on their work.
Gold Awards
Gold Awards are typically completed by 16+ year-olds. A Gold project involves 70 or more hours of group work, leading to a written report. When working in a group, each student needs to complete 70+ hours of work to achieve their Award. Gold Awards are assessed externally by a BSA representative. When submitting a project for assessment, students include a profile form that includes space for them to reflect on their work.
If your voucher code is not working, this could be for a number of reasons.
Is your delivery address in Scotland?
If you are using a 'Free CREST in Scotland' voucher code, these will only work with a Scotland delivery address.
Have you typed in the correct code?
It sounds simple, but it's always good to be sure! Check that you have spelled the code correctly, using the correct upper/lowercase format.
Is the voucher still in date?
Most vouchers are time sensitive. Check that you are using the voucher within the correct period of time.
Are you using the voucher on the correct Award level?
Not every voucher is available for every level or region. Some will only be for Bronze awards and not Discovery - or vice versa. If you were provided with the voucher code by an external organisation, check when and for what you can use a voucher code.
If you are still having an issue. email CREST Support at crest@britishscienceassociation.org
We are here to help
Find answers to your questions quickly and easily with our Help Centre FAQs. Whether you're just getting started with CREST Awards or looking for specific details on projects, resources, or submission guidelines, our comprehensive FAQs has you covered.
