CREST impact
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.
CREST participation statistics
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
Young people experiencing economic disadvantage such as those eligible for pupil premium, free school meals or equivalent.
Minoritised
Learning needs
Young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Gender
Prior attainment
Other
Benefits for young people
Access
CREST increases access to engaging STEM resources that sparks young people's interest and develops their STEM skills
Careers guidance
CREST provides insight into the variety of STEM careers and progression pathways
Confidence
CREST recognises young people's participation and helps to boost their confidence
Inspiration
CREST raises young people's aspirations and signposting them to future careers
Access
CREST increases access to engaging STEM resources that sparks young people's interest and develops their STEM skills
Careers guidance
CREST provides insight into the variety of STEM careers and progression pathways
Confidence
CREST recognises young people's participation and helps to boost their confidence
Inspiration
CREST raises young people's aspirations and signposting them to future careers
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!
CREST NCR kit box impact
Engagement
81% of teachers say they plan to participate in the CREST Awards again
Awareness
100% of the participating teachers say they would recommend CREST to other teachers and schools
Assistance
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
"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."
"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."
"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:
Impact reports
Please find our impact and project reports in full.