Project
A collection of fun and engaging challenges, developed to encourage and support young children who are at the beginning of their STEM journey.
Primary
These engaging, hands-on STEM challenges allow young children to explore everyday problems using science.
Every CREST Star for early years activity gives children the chance to explore a question or an idea and develop their own hands-on, practical investigation. They are encouraged to think about how to test their ideas, as well as how to record their results and share their findings. The activities are designed to promote the skills needed for independent working, decision making, discussion and communication from a young age.
Each activity takes between 45 minutes and an hour to complete and comes with an organiser and activity card, as well as a set of accompanying slides for the classroom, with colourful visuals to introduce the challenge and support children’s understanding. Educator demo videos are also available, providing top tips and pointers for running the investigations.
Cost
The resources are free to use and download from the CREST online library.
Children who complete at least six activities can earn a Star CREST Award, receiving a certificate to celebrate their achievement! Some settings are eligible for funded Awards through grants or voucher codes. All other UK schools can receive theirs for a small cost, from £1 per pupil.
Improve engagement, interest or enjoyment in STEM subjects
Improve attainment and progress in STEM subjects
Develop engineering employability skills
Whichever curriculum your school follows, pupils should have the opportunity to carry out practical investigations in science that help them to develop their scientific skills. This experience builds the following enquiry 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:
Planning - Setting goals and designing routes to achieve them
Creativity - Using imagination and generating new ideas
Leadership - Supporting, encouraging and motivating others to achieve a shared goal
Listening - Receiving, retaining and processing information
Problem solving - Finding solutions to challenges
Speaking - Transmitting information or ideas
Adapting - Overcoming challenges and setbacks to achieve goals
Teamwork - Working cooperatively with others to achieve a shared goal
What the teachers sayLog in to write a testimonialWe would love to read all about your time with this experience!
Secondary
STEM Ambassadors from a wide range of STEM-related jobs to help bring subjects to life!
Secondary
Interact with Network Rail employees and engage in a range of STEM-related activities linked to the rail industry.
Secondary
An engaging, practical way for teachers to deliver the fundamentals of electronics.
Secondary
Students learn hands-on how engineers think & work while developing their problem solving and teamworking skills.
Secondary
Learn to code a drone, overcome challenges, discover how engineers work and how you could use drones in the future!
Secondary
Design and build a chariot to attach to the Sphero and carry a Lego figure around our race track!
