CREST Silver
An engaging selection of enquiry-led STEM projects, developed by the British Science Association, designed to stretch and inspire, giving students experience of the scientific process.
The Neon quality mark shows this activity has been reviewed and meets Neon's quality standards.
Overview
CREST Silver projects stretch students and enrich their studies. In addition, research shows that they improve GCSE grades and increase students’ interest in continuing in STEM education!
This collection of inspiring project ideas, all with real-life contexts, give students the opportunity to develop their own ideas and methodologies, gaining in-depth experience of the scientific process. At this level, students lead their own project, considering its broader impact and exploring innovative approaches.
Students work individually or in groups for a minimum of 30 hours to create a project report or portfolio of evidence to present their work.
Cost
Free to use and download from the CREST online resource library.
For a small cost (from £15 per pupil), students’ work can be uploaded to the CREST online platform and assessed by an expert assessor from industry, academia or the education sector. Students whose projects meet the assessment criteria are then awarded a personalised certificate and a Silver CREST Award to celebrate their achievement. This Award can be used to enhance UCAS statements. Some schools are eligible for funded Awards through grants or voucher codes.
Details
- School subject
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- Biology
- Chemistry
- Technology/computing
- Design and technology
- Engineering
- Maths
- Physics
- Curriculum links
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- Design and technology: Cooking and nutrition
- Engineering
- Design and technology
- Computing
- Physics: Electricity and electromagnetism
- Biology: Material cycles and energy
- Physics: Energy
- Physics: Space physics
- Technologies - Food and textile technology
- Technologies - Craft, design, engineering and graphics: Application of engineering
- Technologies - Craft, design, engineering and graphics
- Sciences - Forces, electricity and waves: Electricity
- Computing science
- Sciences - Planet earth: Energy sources and sustainability
- Sciences - Planet earth
- Sciences - Planet earth: Space
- Biology
- Design thinking and engineering: Engineering
- Design thinking and engineering
- Physics: Electricity
- Physics: Energy transfer
- Physics
- Sciences - Organisms and health: Interdependence of plants and animals
- Technology & design - Manufacturing
- Technology & design - Design
- Technology & design - Communication: Use of ICT tools (including 3D modelling)
- Sciences - Forces and energy: Using electricity
- Technology & design - Control: Incorporate control systems in products
- Sciences - Earth and universe: The environment and human influences
- Sciences - Forces and energy
- Technology & design - Control
- Sciences - Earth and universe: The solar system and universe
- Group size
- Small groups, Whole class
- Participation level
- Hands-on
- Duration
- Multi-session - flexible
- Cost
- Free
- Location
- Online
Learning outcomes
- Improve engagement, interest or enjoyment in STEM subjects
- Attainment and progress
- Develop engineering employability skills
- Improve awareness and aspirations for STEM-related study and careers
- Challenge stereotypes by showing the diversity of disciplines, people and skills involved in engineering
Frameworks
Gatsby benchmarks
The Gatsby benchmarks are a framework for good careers guidance for schools across all of England and in some areas across the rest of the UK. This experience helps your school to reach the following benchmarks:
- 2 - Learning from career and labour market information
- 3 - Addressing the needs of each pupil
- 4 - Linking curriculum learning to careers
EqualEx
- Introduce and Inspire
Essential skills
The essential skills every young person needs to succeed in education and their future career. Find out more at the Skills Builder Partnership. This experience builds the following skills:
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Enrichment framework
- 5 - An accessible and engagement enrichment offer
- 7 - An outcomes-focused enrichment offer
