United Kingdom, open worldwide
CREST Awards
Project awards from the British Science Association, for students who want to investigate a real question in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
CREST Awards are project-based STEM awards run by the British Science Association in the United Kingdom and open to students worldwide. Students plan and carry out their own investigation, about 10 hours at Bronze, 30 at Silver and 70 at Gold, and Silver and Gold projects are reviewed by independent CREST assessors. Tallyhurst coaches American students through CREST from age 13 and places their entries.
Last reviewed: November 2026
Tallyhurst is an independent coaching service, not affiliated with the British Science Association.
What CREST is
CREST is the British Science Association's scheme for hands-on STEM project work. Instead of logging hours across many activities, a CREST student takes on one project: a scientific investigation, an engineering design, a research question or a technology build. The student chooses the topic, plans the method, does the work and writes it up. Every project is judged against published CREST criteria, which reward independence, sound method and clear reflection on what was learned.
Entering from the United States
Most CREST entries come through schools, and few American schools run the scheme. That is no obstacle for our students: Tallyhurst places CREST entries on their behalf, so a family does not need a participating school. The student still does all the project work and writing; we check the work against the rules; the words are the student's own, and we handle the entry. CREST charges a fee per award, set by the British Science Association.
Bronze, Silver and Gold
| Level | Typical age | Time | Kind of project | How it is assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 11 and over (we coach from 13) | about 10 hours | an introduction to project work, often guided | reviewed by CREST assessors from a sample of the work |
| Silver | 14 and over | about 30 hours | student-led, with the student shaping the question and method | reviewed by an independent CREST assessor, with written feedback |
| Gold | 16 and over | about 70 hours | independent, original and in depth, ideally with a mentor from the field | reviewed by an independent CREST assessor, and must meet at least 11 of the 15 Gold criteria |
Source: CREST Awards, British Science Association. Confirm current requirements on crestawards.org.
For Silver and Gold, the student submits the project work, a student profile form showing how the project meets the CREST criteria, and reflections on their learning. A student who completes Silver can later extend the same line of work toward Gold.
Choosing a project
The best CREST projects start with a question the student genuinely wants answered. It might be testing how a local water source changes after rain, designing a device that solves a small everyday problem, or analyzing a public data set. Free CREST project resources offer ready-made starting points, and students may also design their own. At Gold, a mentor working in the field adds depth; we help find a suitable mentor, and every mentor contact follows our safeguarding standard, with a parent or guardian included.
How we coach CREST
We help your teenager choose a project the right size for the level, write a clear plan, and keep a project log of methods, results and reflections as the work happens, not at the end. Regular online sessions, with a parent or guardian present, keep the project moving through planning, testing and write-up. The eight-day rule notices a stalled project within days. Before submission we check the write-up against every CREST criterion, then place the entry. Parents receive a written progress report every month. Many students pair a CREST project with the Youth STEMM Award, which recognizes wider STEMM activity.
Questions about CREST Awards
Can American students do CREST Awards?
Yes. CREST Awards are open to students worldwide. Tallyhurst places entries for our students, so a participating school is not needed.
What ages are CREST Awards for?
Bronze is typically for ages 11 and over, Silver for 14 and over, and Gold for 16 and over. Tallyhurst coaches students from 13.
How long does a CREST project take?
About 10 hours at Bronze, about 30 hours at Silver and about 70 hours at Gold.
Who assesses CREST projects?
Silver and Gold projects are reviewed by independent CREST assessors, who send written feedback. Bronze is reviewed by CREST assessors from a sample of the work.
What does a Gold CREST project need?
An open-ended, independently led project that shows originality and depth. It must meet at least 11 of the 15 Gold criteria, and a mentor from the field is recommended.
Can my teenager choose their own project?
Yes. Students can use free CREST project resources or design their own project, as long as it meets the criteria for its level.
Does Tallyhurst do the project work?
No. The student plans, carries out and writes up the project. We check the work against the rules; the words are the student's own, and we handle the entry.
Is Tallyhurst part of CREST Awards?
No. Tallyhurst is an independent coaching service, not affiliated with or endorsed by the British Science Association, which runs CREST Awards.