The different types of CREST project

The different types of CREST project

Looking for what kinds of project you can complete at home? Check out our At Home version of this article, which includes tips on how to convert a Practical or Design & Make project to a Research or Communication project.



This article primarily refers to Silver and Gold levels, but is also suitable for Bronze.

There are four eligible types of CREST project: Practical Investigation, Design & Make, Research and Communication.

Practical investigation projects

Practical Investigation are one of the most common project types for CREST. They aim to answer a question, hypothesis or problem.
Practical investigation projects should include:

  • A question, hypothesis or problem
  • Project aims
  • Planning
  • Evidence
  • Analysis
  • Conclusion


Design and Make projects

These projects aim to design and create a product that meets a specific aim. Design and Make projects can start with a broad scope, which is then narrowed down to something more specific.
Design and Make projects should include:

  • A brief
  • Project aims
  • Designing of a solution to a specific problem
  • Testing, analysis, improvement and retesting of solution (multiple cycles)
  • Analysis of final solution
  • Conclusion
Example: Past topics have included designing and making a skateboard and designing and building a model catamaran.


Research projects

These projects aim to provide a fresh perspective or strengthen an argument for a disputed STEM topic through data gathering and analysis.
Research projects should include:

  • A project brief or area to investigate
  • Project aims
  • Plans for how data will be gathered and analysed
  • Critical analysis of existing data
  • Conclusion
Example: Past projects have included topics such as, 'The effects of reminding students about their previous grades on exam performance'


Communication projects

These projects aim to inform a specific audience about a topic or raise their awareness and interest in STEM.
Communication projects should include:

  • A target audience
  • Background research of the topic and the audience
  • Design of a form of communication
  • Reflection and explanation of how the communication is fit for purpose, including being pitched at the correct age and level of understanding
  • Evaluation of their communication using appropriate measures
  • Conclusion
Example: Past projects have included students developing a science show; building an interactive museum exhibit that explained a scientific principle; and a radio show where students interviewed a scientist.

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