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CREST impact

Explore CREST Impact Report
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A proven, trusted framework

CREST is a flexible, proven and trusted framework that has become a ‘gold standard’ for project work in schools across the UK for over three decades. Supporting all areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) research, CREST projects can be done at any time of year. From enhancing work-placements to inspiring the smallest learners to feel like scientists, CREST makes a huge difference to the way young people engage with STEM. CREST is the British Science Association’s inspiring and impactful STEM education programme for ages 3–19, engaging and rewarding young people of all abilities while unlocking potential and developing skills.

Learn how to support CREST
About CREST
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Infographic showing CREST Awards participation. 56,255 young people took part: 50.2% girls, 49.5% boys, 0.1% non-binary, 0.1% preferred to self-describe. 1,129 UK schools participated: 53% secondary, 23% other, 22% primary, 2% SEND. 3 in 5 CREST schools are in challenging circumstances. Of these, 59% are secondary, 29% primary, 9% other, and 3% SEND.

CREST participation statistics

Map showing percentage of CREST Award submissions in 2021/22 by UK region: South East 21%, London 15%, West Midlands 12%, North West 10%, East of England 10%, East Midlands 7%, Wales 7%, Scotland 5%, Yorkshire and The Humber 5%, South West 5%, Northern Ireland 2%, North East 1%. Text reads: “CREST is UK-wide.”

CREST is UK wide

CREST audience

CREST is designed to empower all children and young people, including those traditionally under-represented in STEM. This includes:

Under-resourced

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Young people experiencing economic disadvantage such as those eligible for pupil premium, free school meals or equivalent.

Minoritised

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Young people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Learning needs

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Young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

  • Under-resourced

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    Young people experiencing economic disadvantage such as those eligible for pupil premium, free school meals or equivalent.

  • Minoritised

    CBIS British Science Week PROCESS CARD
    Young people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

  • Learning needs

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    Young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Gender

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Girls and non-binary young people.

Prior attainment

CREST Discovery Day British Science Week 032025 (65)
Young people with lower prior attainment or in mixed attainment science groupings, and those who wouldn’t normally choose to participate in STEM activities.

Other

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Other groups underrepresented in STEM specific to your context.

  • Gender

    CREST Discovery Day British Science Week 032025 Process Card
    Girls and non-binary young people.

  • Prior attainment

    CREST Discovery Day British Science Week 032025 (65)
    Young people with lower prior attainment or in mixed attainment science groupings, and those who wouldn’t normally choose to participate in STEM activities.

  • Other

    Adobestock 234479406 Teacher Bends To Speak With Pupil In A Classroom
    Other groups underrepresented in STEM specific to your context.

Case study: NCR Foundation

In 2022/23, the NCR Foundation funded a British Science Association pilot project in Scotland, to design and test a solution to overcome the barriers to teachers delivering practical STEM activities in primary school classes. As a result the CREST SuperStar Kit Box was born!

Learn more about the NCR Kit Box
NCR Foundation logo

CREST NCR kit box impact

Over 30 teachers in Scottish schools working in challenging circumstances were given free CREST SuperStar kit boxes, and in return shared their experiences of using the resources with over 700 pupils in total.

Engagement

CREST Superstar NCR Kit Box School Activity (11)

81% of teachers say they plan to participate in the CREST Awards again

Awareness

CREST Superstar NCR Kit Box School Activity (14)

100% of the participating teachers say they would recommend CREST to other teachers and schools

Assistance

CREST Superstar NCR Kit Box School Activity 2 61

80% of teachers feel the kit boxes help to overcome barriers pupils face in engaging with STEM

Interest

29% of teachers, after the pilot, feel that all of their pupils show an interest in STEM subjects, compared to 13% before

  • Engagement

    CREST Superstar NCR Kit Box School Activity (11)

    81% of teachers say they plan to participate in the CREST Awards again

  • Awareness

    CREST Superstar NCR Kit Box School Activity (14)

    100% of the participating teachers say they would recommend CREST to other teachers and schools

  • Assistance

    CREST Superstar NCR Kit Box School Activity 2 61

    80% of teachers feel the kit boxes help to overcome barriers pupils face in engaging with STEM

  • Interest

    29% of teachers, after the pilot, feel that all of their pupils show an interest in STEM subjects, compared to 13% before

Teacher testimonials

  • CREST Superstar Kit (73)
    CREST Superstar Kit (73)

    "Would we have done the activities without the kit boxes? Probably not. There are so many demands made in terms of curriculum and everything else, so the boxes were the inspiration for getting this work done."

  • CREST Superstar Kit Boxes (1)
    CREST Superstar Kit Boxes (1)

    "It gave me a bit of an attitude shift, e.g. how it’s not all about key terms and phrases but also about standing back and letting them figure stuff out for themselves and even fail if it’s instructive to do so."

  • CREST Superstar NCR Kit Box School Activity (13)
    CREST Superstar NCR Kit Box School Activity (13)

    "A lot of our children don’t have role models, sometimes not even of someone who has taken STEM on at secondary, never mind STEM careers. So when you can get them to think, ‘oh, this is fun actually and this is challenging and this is interesting’, that might start to change that perception of ‘I might be interested in this’ or ‘I might be able to do this in the future’ "

Contact us to support CREST

We are actively looking for new partners across a range of industry sectors to inspire, engage and connect more young people with STEM, particularly those who are most typically underrepresented. Email our colleague Giorgio to learn more about how to support CREST:

Email Giorgio

Impact reports

Please find our impact and project reports in full.  

CREST Impact Report

Discover CREST's reach and success engaging with young people traditionally underrepresented in STEM.
CREST Impact Report

CREST Discovery Days

CREST Discovery Days are an excellent way to introduce new STEM topics and develop project work skills.
CREST Discovery Days report summary

  • CREST Impact Report

    Discover CREST's reach and success engaging with young people traditionally underrepresented in STEM.
    CREST Impact Report

  • CREST Discovery Days

    CREST Discovery Days are an excellent way to introduce new STEM topics and develop project work skills.
    CREST Discovery Days report summary