The CREST Awards scheme is the British Science Association’s flagship programme for young people, providing science enrichment activities to inspire and engage 5-to-19-year olds. It is the only nationally recognised accreditation scheme for project work in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects.

CREST gives students the chance to participate in hands-on science through investigations and enquiry-based learning, supporting them to solve real-life STEM challenges through practical investigation and discussion.

CREST Awards are now free in Scotland. Please use the code T22echFest56 to order your certificates at no cost, which also supports TechFest. 

Visit CREST Award at Home page for great resources! 

There are six CREST Award Levels, allowing students to progress through the scheme throughout their education. CREST offers educators an easy-to-run framework for curriculum enhancement and is student-led, encouraging young people to take ownership of their own projects. The Awards are well regarded, high quality and a tangible recognition of success. CREST can be run in schools, clubs, youth groups, other organisations or at home.

Why CREST?

The CREST Awards provides a framework for STEM project work that supports all students, not just future scientists, to leave school with the skills and confidence to discuss and shape scientific and technological advances in society, whatever their career choices.

Enquiry-based approach
CREST encourages pupils to learn by solving a problem or answering a question, rather than simply following instructions or being presented with information. The emphasis is on the process, not on finding a ‘right’ answer. By encouraging students not to view STEM as learning facts and doing experiments, but as sharing ideas and asking questions, the CREST Awards help to develop a culture of ‘everyday science’, bridging learning and supporting cross-curricular education.

Scientific process
CREST provides opportunities for students to experience the scientific process. We believe that supporting young people to experience behaving like a scientist or engineer, and lead their own project, will support young people to put into practice transferable skills such as observation, thinking, reasoning and communication. The knock-on effect is a space for young people to be innovative and creative, and to develop their problem-solving skills.

Real-world context
We believe that encouraging students to lead their own projects on topics that connect to their everyday experiences, enables young people to explore the relevance of STEM subjects to their lives, and motivates them to respond positively to challenges. 

Levels

Project ideas can be created by students, teachers, organisations or local businesses – ideally, the decision should be student-led so that they choose a topic they are interested in investigating. There are three categories of CREST project to choose from: Research/Investigation, Design/Making; and Science Communication.

Have a look at the British Science Association's overview of Project REsources to get some tips about how to support your students.

CREST Awards can be undertaken at school or college, within an after school club or youth group setting, or by participating in one of our accredited link schemes (i.e. EDT projects, Nuffield Scheme, RZSS Summer School, Geobus etc.)

Once students have completed their project work, they are individually assessed and successful students will receive a personalised certificate.

Benefits of a CREST Award

• Improved grades and increased interest in continuing in STEM education and careers. 
  
  
• Real-life experience of ‘being’ a scientist' and working on STEM projects. 
  
  
• CREST Award projects help to develop students’ skills in creativity, teamwork and time management. 
  
  
• Students can use CREST to enhance their UCAS personal statements.
  
  
• Extra value from other activities, such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and the Children’s University Passport to Learning.
  
  
• A measurable improvement in exam results. 
  In January 2016, CREST published a reportby a team of economists from Pro Bono Economics. This revealed that students who have taken a CREST Silver Award achieved half a grade higher on their best science GCSE result and were more likely to continue with STEM education, compared to a matched control group.
  
  
• A greater impact for more disadvantaged students. 
  The report also showed that Silver CREST students eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) saw a larger increase in their best science GCSE (two-thirds of a grade) compared to a matched control group who were also eligible for FSM.Students who were eligible for Free School Meals and took part in a CREST Silver Award were 38% more likely to take a STEM subject at AS Level than the matched control group.
  
  
• A positive shift in attitudes.
  In 2011, a study from the University of Liverpool concluded that CREST has a strong positive impact on students’ attitudes towards Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) and aspirations for SET careers are significantly improved.A report into the CREST Expansion Scheme showed that three-quarters of participating students and 78% of teachers rated CREST as good or very good. About half the CREST student cohort reported a positive shift in attitudes toward STEM and STEM careers as a result of participation in CREST. Many of those whose attitudes did not change were already positive about STEM.

Getting Started with CREST

Register for free for a CREST Account and access to all project application and support materials at: http://www.crestawards.org/register-your-award/. 

The CREST Regional Support Organisation for Scotland is TechFest.  

For advice about undertaking CREST Awards in Scotland, please contact Kirsty Cranna by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Lets go on a journey through space and time in this truly interactive and immersive experience! The TechFest Dome is an out-of-this-world adventure not to be missed! 

The TechFest Dome (mobile planetarium) is an inflatable dome with a Digitarium Zeta Projection. This is used to illustrate concepts and principles of our universe in an exciting way that engages participants of all ages.

The TechFest Dome offers three exciting shows: Day & Night, Night Sky, and We Are Stars.

Day & Night

What makes day and night? Where does the Sun go at night? This show demonstrates how the Sun moves across the sky during the day in both summer and winter. Find the North Star, the Plough, Orion, Betelgeuse and Sirius in the night sky and relate them to the Greek constellations. 
Age Range: EY & P1-P3  Duration: 45 minutes

Night Sky

A tour of the night sky which includes the North Star, the Plough and Orion. Watch how stars move at night and discover how we get different constellations with the changing seasons. Listen to the amazing story of Perseus and Andromeda and find out which planets you can see in the sky tonight.  
Age Range: P4 - P7 Duration: 45 minutes 

We Are Stars

Find out how we are part of the universe in this immersive experience. Going all the way back in time to The Big Bang, we see how matter comes together to form simple atoms, and how these atoms are the source of the stars we see in the night sky. Through a demonstration of nuclear fusion in the stars cores and supernovas, the other elements are created, which make up all of the planets and even us!
Age Range: All Duration: 45 mins

Booking information:

A minimum of two shows must be booked per visit | Fee: £96 per workshop.

Due to the high cost of living we have had to take the hard decision to apply mileage costs to all our workshops. To make it fair to all schools across the Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire area we have averaged out the cost to £15 and will place this on all bookings from 01 April 2023.

For schools outwith Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, mileage is charged at 45p per mile and is calculated from TechFest offices (Butchart Centre, University of Aberdeen, University Road, Aberdeen, AB24 3UT).

The TechFest Dome is sponsored by  

For more information, please get in touch! contact us

Alternatively, email the Outreach Programme team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.