Science
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR EDUCATION – www.educationbusinessuk.net
Written by Maria Rossini and Jenny O’Hare, the British Science Association
CREST AWARDS
Get hands-on with science With the CREST Awards turning 30 this year, Maria Rossini and Jenny O’Hare from the British Science Association reflect back on how this hands-on science programme has grown and thrived during shifts in education policy and curriculum changes
At the British Science Association, we have long believed that the best way to inspire young people in science is for them to have the chance to try it for themselves. Rather than see science as just a collection of facts and equations, our flagship education programme, the CREST Awards, recognises and rewards young peoples’ own investigations in STEM. This year, the CREST Awards will be turning 30 years old. Set up to allow young people the chance to run their own science projects on whatever subject they choose, CREST has gone from strength to strength since the first cohort did their pioneering projects in 1986. From the introduction of the National Curriculum, through numerous changes in government and shifts in education policy, CREST has continued to grow and thrive, with over 30,000 young people every year now achieving their awards. By recognising the value of open-ended project work for all young people, regardless of whether or not they will go on to be scientists, CREST has allowed students to build their skills and demonstrate personal achievements through their own investigative work.
GET HANDS-ON ages and abilities. CREST at secondary Enquiry-based learning is something we level supports 11-to-19-year-olds to really encourage, not just because it allows design and carry out stretching research students to get hands-on with science, projects, rewarding achievements at but also because it seems to inspire a Discovery, Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. wide range of students at all levels. For primary schools, CREST Star sets Last year, 51 per cent of our children problems to solve through T CREST Awardees were girls. practical investigation. CREST S E R C And these figures aren’t an Star is used in over 800 s se anomaly – year-after-year primary and special recogni ents m we see an even-gender educational needs e v achie nication, split on the numbers schools across the UK. u m m h of completed Awards. As well as being o c c r in , resea , k We believe that this successful in schools, r o w team esentation is because CREST the CREST Awards recognises achievements and pr eals to the scheme is also held in communication, with clubs, youth pp which a ng styles of groups or at home. team work, research and presentation, which learni enders appeals to the learning MEANINGFUL IMPACT both g styles of both genders. It Throughout its 30-year gives students an opportunity to lifespan, CREST has been constantly complete a science project that takes into evolving and developing. From the initial account the real world context and the pilots in the 1980s, to evaluations focusing implications beyond their own work. on different audiences and initiatives, we have There are CREST activities to suit all accumulated a strong evidence E
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