2025/2026 Evaluation of CREST Awards programme

In partnership with ImpactEd, the British Science Association is undertaking an evaluation of the CREST programme to explore the impact of the Awards on participating students and educators.

CREST is a STEM engagement programme that recognises success and enables students to build their skills and demonstrate personal achievement in project work. It offers educators an easy-to-run framework for curriculum enhancement and is student-led, which means that young people take ownership of their projects and choose to undertake them in areas they enjoy or see as relevant.

Ways to get involved

If you are running CREST in your school in 2025/26 and want a chance to get your hands on a £50 store voucher, free CREST Awards, and science equipment or a CREST kit box, read on!

1. Apply to be a core research school.

30 UK schools will be selected to work with ImpactEd to explore the impact that doing CREST has had on students and help teachers understand the motivation and academic resilience of participating pupils and how that compares to young people nationally.

Complete this Expression of Interest (EOI) form to apply to be a core research school by 13 February 2026.

Selected schools that complete the evaluation by 31 July 2026 will receive a package of rewards including free CREST Awards, £200 of science equipment (or a CREST kit box) and a £50 shop voucher for the organising teacher (depending on the school type and phase).*

What’s involved?

• ImpactEd will liaise with core research schools’ data managers to connect MIS systems.
• Teachers will administer a one-off digital questionnaire to students after they complete their CREST Awards.
• Teachers will complete a digital questionnaire and take part in an online focus group.

*If your school is selected as a core research school, you will be invited to attend one of the kick-off meetings on 25 February, 26 February, or 2 March. We will confirm your reward package in March.

Apply here: Core Research School Expression of Interest (EOI) form

2. Share Educator Insights

If you are an educator running the CREST Awards with children and young people in the 2025/26 academic year – in any setting – please share your experience by completing this questionnaire after your learners have completed their CREST Awards.

Submit a questionnaire before 31 July 2026 and you’ll be in with a chance to receive one of twenty £25 digital vouchers up for grabs (which will be randomly selected from submissions after the closing date).

LINK TO QUESTIONNAIRE COMING SOON!

3. Share Student Insights

Are you a student aged 16 or older that has completed a CREST Award this year or in the past? We would love to hear from you, too!

Tell us about your CREST experience by completing a questionnaire before 31 July 2026. You will also be in with a chance to receive one of twenty £25 digital vouchers available (which will be randomly selected from submissions after the closing date).

LINK TO QUESTIONNAIRE COMING SOON!

Contact crest@britishscienceassociation.org for more information.