Back to experiences

Project

CREST SuperStar

A collection of relevant and fun student-led STEM challenges, developed by the British Science Association, that allow children to explore everyday problems and situations using science. 

CREST SuperStar
This collection of engaging, hands-on STEM projects allow students to explore everyday problems using science. Each challenge begins with a story linked to a broader situation that children are likely to be familiar with, giving every project a powerful, real-world context and encouraging students to make links with their own lives and experiences. 
Every CREST SuperStar project gives children the chance to behave like real scientists, allowing them to explore a question or 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.   
CREST SuperStar projects cover a broad range of scientific concepts as well as investigative skills and can be used during STEM enrichment activities or to enhance curriculum learning.
Each project takes between 45 minutes and an hour to complete and comes with an organiser’s card as well as a student activity card.

Cost

The resources are free to use and download from the CREST online library. 

Pupils who complete at least six activities can earn a SuperStar CREST Award, receiving a certificate to celebrate their achievement! Some schools 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.

Learning outcomes

  • Improve engagement, interest or enjoyment in STEM subjects

  • Improve attainment and progress in STEM subjects

  • Develop engineering employability skills

Topics

  • Plants
  • Animals including humans
  • Living things and their habitats
  • Evolution and inheritance
  • Materials
  • Rocks
  • Light
  • Sound
  • Earth and space
  • Forces
  • States of matter
  • Structures
  • Mechanisms

Working scientifically

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:

  • Asking questions
  • Making predictions
  • Setting up tests
  • Observing and measuring
  • Recording data
  • Interpreting and communicating results
  • Evaluating

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:

  • 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

Good for a career in...

  • Aircraft
  • Construction
  • Design
  • Energy
  • Environment
  • Entertainment
  • Food
  • Medicine and healthcare
  • Space
  • Sport
  • Rail and road transport
What the teachers say

We would love to read all about your time with this experience!

Log in to write a testimonial
Icon representing Secondary education Secondary
Speaker

STEM Ambassadors

STEM Ambassadors from a wide range of STEM-related jobs to help bring subjects to life!

  • Ages 11 to 18+
  • In-school
  • Full day
  • Free
Icon representing Secondary education Secondary
Trip

Network Rail STEM Lab

Interact with Network Rail employees and engage in a range of STEM-related activities linked to the rail industry.

  • Ages 11 to 16
  • Offsite
    • Milton Keynes
    • Milton Keynes
  • Half a day
  • Free
Icon representing Secondary education Secondary
Workshop

Electronics Everywhere

An engaging, practical way for teachers to deliver the fundamentals of electronics.

  • Ages 16 to 18
  • In-school
  • 1 to 2 hours
  • Free
Icon representing Secondary education Secondary
Workshop

Super Stixx Engineering Challenge

Students learn hands-on how engineers think & work while developing their problem solving and teamworking skills.

  • Ages 11 to 18+
  • In-school
  • Full day
  • Cost applies
Icon representing Secondary education Secondary
Workshop

Drone Coding and Engineering

Learn to code a drone, overcome challenges, discover how engineers work and how you could use drones in the future!

  • Ages 11 to 18+
  • In-school
  • Full day
  • Cost applies
Icon representing Secondary education Secondary
Workshop

Sphero Engineering Build and Race

Design and build a chariot to attach to the Sphero and carry a Lego figure around our race track!

  • Ages 11 to 18+
  • In-school
  • Half a day
  • Cost applies

Careers resources