Doing your CREST project safely and ethically

A short guide for students and mentors

When you work on a CREST project, it’s important that your work is safe, responsible, legal and respectful of others. Assessors look not just at what you’ve done, but how you’ve done it.

The British Science Association refers to CLEAPSS on all matters health and safety related. CLEAPSS’ student safety sheets provide guidance on how to work in a safe and ethical manner in schools.

Click here for CLEAPSS’ student safety sheets.

Please read these along with the guidance below, before starting your project. If you are unsure whether an idea is safe, appropriate, legal or ethical, check with a teacher or mentor before starting your project.

CREST requires all projects to be supervised by a mentor, teacher/educator or parent.

1.Keeping yourself and others safe

Your project should never put you or anyone else at risk. Some scientific and technological topics can have both positive uses and serious risks if misused.
Make sure you:

• Don’t use dangerous equipment, chemicals, or activities unless you have proper supervision.
• Follow your school or organisation’s health and safety rules.
• Think ahead about possible risks and explain how you reduced them.
• Do not undertake any activities that are illegal.
• If your project could be misused or cause harm outside your original intentions, you should:
  • Keep the work at a theoretical-level;
  • Focus on impacts, ethics, regulation or prevention;
  • Discuss your approach with a teacher or mentor before starting.

Assessors may flag concerns if:

• The project involves unsafe activities with no clear safety steps.
• You carried out experiments that could cause injury or harm, including physical and emotional harm.
• There is no evidence that an adult checked or supported risky work.
• You carried out actions that are illegal.

2.Treating people’s data with care

If your project involves people (for example surveys, interviews, photos, videos, recordings or observations), you must respect their privacy.
Make sure you:

• Only collect data that is required/essential for your project.
• Ask permission (consent) before collecting information from anyone; and inform them they can change their mind at any time, before or after taking part. Explain they can change their mind at any time during data collection, but provide a deadline for their decision so you can incorporate their data in your final report.
• Explain how you will use their data (all the information and responses you’ve collected from the research participant).
• Keep names and personal details private or anonymised.
• Store data securely, for example in a password protected file or hard drive, and only use it for your project.

Assessors may flag concerns if:

• Personal information is shared without consent.
• People can be easily identified when they shouldn’t be.
• Sensitive data (e.g. about health or beliefs) is handled carelessly.

3.Ethical use of animals and the environment

CREST projects must be justified, ethical and kind to living things and the environment.
Make sure you:

• Avoid experiments that could harm animals.
• Explain how your project avoids environmental damage.
• Dispose of waste safely and responsibly.
• Comply with relevant regulations and guidelines.

Assessors may flag concerns if:

• The project includes animal testing or harm.
• The project causes environment damage.
• Ethical issues are ignored or not discussed.

4.Being honest and responsible

Your CREST project should reflect your own work and thinking.
Make sure you:

• Credit your sources clearly.
• Don’t copy other people’s work without acknowledgement.
• Are honest about what you did, what worked, and what didn’t.
• Reference any use of AI and comply with our AI guidance.

Assessors may flag concerns if:

• Sources are missing or unclear.
• Work looks plagiarised.
• Apparent AI use has not been referenced appropriately.
• Claims are made without evidence.

5.Safeguarding and wellbeing

Your safety and wellbeing matter. CREST is a safe space.
If you use online platforms, e.g. forums, communities, apps or social media spaces when undertaking your project, ask for guidance from your mentor on using online spaces thoughtfully, safely, and academically responsibly.
If your project touches on sensitive topics (like mental health, animal welfare or explosives):

• Focus on research and learning, not personal experiences.
• Speak to a trusted adult if a topic feels overwhelming.
• Evaluate and reflect on why your topic may be sensitive to others.

Assessors must raise concerns if a project includes:

• Statements suggesting self harm.
• Disclosures of abuse or bullying.
• Expressions of extreme or radical views that promote or incite harm to others or society.
• Concern about a student’s use of, or interest in, illegal materials such as weapons, explosives, and illegal drugs.

This is done to protect you and others, not to punish you.

In short: What Assessors are looking for

Assessors are checking that your project is:

✅ Safe
✅ Ethical
✅ Legal
✅ Respectful of people, animals, and the environment
✅ Honest and responsible

If something doesn’t look right, they may pause the assessment and ask the CREST team to help.

In extreme circumstances we may inform your school or authorities and/or not Award a project if we feel it is dangerous, illegal or unethical.