CREST

CREativity in Science and Technology

ARE YOU:

¨    Wanting students to choose, organise and undertake their own experimental science or technology project?

¨    Seeking material that is in line with the Working Scientifically and/or Design, Make, Appraise strands of the Curriculum Statements and Profiles?

¨    Wanting to develop students’ skills in all of the Key Competencies?

¨    Wanting to extend your students in science and technology?

¨    Innovative, enthusiastic and seeking new stimuli for your students?

 

If ANY of these apply to you, then you’re ready for CREST!!

 

CREST offers National Awards that can be achieved by secondary school students who carry out Science and Technology project work.

 

CREST enables students to understand and experience the exciting world of scientific research and technological development.

 

CREST is a comprehensive program of support material for both teachers and individual students.  Extensive written support material and professional development workshops are available for teachers.  In addition, the network of CREST schools allows teachers to contribute their experience and/or learn from others.  CREST also provides advice and further information on a “freecall” phone number linked to the National CREST Coordinator and CREST Regional Officers. 

 

CREST can easily form an integral part of the science and technology curricula in your school.  Students achieving CREST Awards will be demonstrating their skills in the Working Scientifically strand of A statement on science for Australian schools and in the Design, Make and Appraise strand of A statement on technology for Australian schools.  The program has been developed and trialled in schools across Australia.

 

·      CREST Awards can be achieved by all students.

 
 

·      CREST is not a competition but a program which focuses on the individual

and encourages success and the development of skills as students pursue

a topic of interest to them.

 

·      Students can work towards CREST Awards at any time.  If you wish,

they can take as long as they need to complete their projects.

 

·      CREST can be offered to the whole class as part of the curriculum.


  

 


CREST students are encouraged to be CREATIVE, APPLY their knowledge

and skills towards a practical outcome and to PERSEVERE with their project

until they have completed it.  Teachers are able to monitor the progress of their

students using the Profile cards which are provided.

 

The Awards are available in three levels – Bronze, Silver and Gold. 

The differences between the levels are a matter of time, complexity of task,

scientific and technological ability, and sheer perseverance on the part of

the participants.  The table below summarizes the CREST Awards levels.

 

 

 

BRONZE

SILVER

GOLD

Year Level

7 - 12

7 - 12

7 - 12

Time required

At least 10 hours

At least 30 hours

More than 100 hours

Source of Project idea

Original ideas, CREST database or reference materials

Original ideas, CREST database or reference materials

Must be an original idea, can be based on own previous CREST project

Prerequisites

Students introduced to designing investigations through class activities

Experience in research projects

Silver CREST Award

Approval of Project Topic

Classroom teacher

National or Regional CREST Coordinator

National CREST Coordinator

Mentor/Consultant

Useful but not essential

Recommended

Compulsory

Final Evaluation

Supervising teacher or other approved supervisor

Supervising teacher and external assessor

Supervising teacher and 2 external assessors

 

 

Schools need to register as a CREST Centre before their students can achieve CREST Awards.  Initial registration is $40.  This will allow your school to receive the CREST material needed to enable any students from your school to work towards CREST Awards.  After this once-off fee, an annual subscription of $10 is payable to maintain registration as a CREST Centre.

 

Apart from the Registration fee, there is a $5 per student charge for Bronze Awards,  $10 per students for Silver Awards and $20 per student for Gold.  This enables each student to receive their own copy of a Student Handbook and a Profile Card.

On completion of their Awards, students receive attractive certificates and impressive medallions

 

A separate scheme, Primary CREST, is available for primary schools.

 

For further information about the CREST Awards contact Vicki Stavropoulos,

National CREST Coordinator,  CSIRO Education, PO Box 225, Dickson ACT 2602,

phone (02) 6276 6567, fax (02) 6276 6641.

 

CREST is offered by CSIRO Education with support from the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Science and Technology Awareness Program and Queensland, Victorian and Tasmanian Education Departments.