2025/2026 Evaluation of CREST Awards programme

The British Science Association (BSA), in partnership with ImpactEd, 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.

Update (Summer 2026)

The collection of insights and data about CREST from students and educators finished on 31 July 2026.

Working with evaluation partners, the BSA is now analysing the data to learn how CREST is having an impact on children, young people, and their educators.

Results of the evaluation are expected in late autumn 2026 and will be shared with contributors and the public.

How educators and students were involved

1. Educators shared their insights

Educators running the CREST Awards with children and young people in the 2025/26 academic year – from different settings – shared their experiences by completing a questionnaire or participating in a focus group discussion.

2. Students (and former students) shared their insights

UK students and former students (aged 16 or older) that had completed a CREST Award told us about their experience by completing a questionnaire.

3. We worked with 'core research schools'

A group of about 30 UK schools were selected to work more closely 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 compared to young people nationally.

Contact crest@britishscienceassociation.org if you would like to know more.