A CREST project can cover any aspect of science, depending on your child's interest: research; investigation, design or making; as well as science communication. We recognise that running CREST projects at home may provide barriers to the amount (if any) of practical work that can be completed. Our Low equipment resource library provides some ideas for projects that are possible to undertake at home.

Again, parents don't need to be an expert in science or come from a STEM background to coordinate a CREST project. The most important thing is that there is an element of investigation and exploration in your child's work, and that the project sets out to answer a question or solve a problem.

You or your child can choose any type of project at any of the award levels. It’s the amount of time and complexity of work undertaken that increases as children progress.

CREST Award projects aren’t just for schools

While some projects may require access to a lab or specialist equipment, many people also run CREST very successfully at home. From building go-carts to conducting wildlife surveys, or testing which wing shapes make the best paper aeroplanes, there are lots of different ways that you can create great projects to suit your child’s activities, interests and resources.

How to approach choosing project topics with your child 

• For CREST Star and CREST SuperStar we recommend that parents select eight challenges from our CREST at home resource library. Alternatively, you can use your own activities towards the awards, providing they meet the Star and Superstar Awards criteria.
  
• For Bronze - Gold projects, give your child as much choice as possible in their project topic. We have some suggested low equipment project ideas in our resource library, but you can also design your own project. Take a look at the different types of project that can be completed.
  
• Make sure the project gives your child the opportunity to demonstrate the CREST criteria for Bronze, Silver and Gold. 
  
• Whatever their level, don’t underestimate your child’s ability to respond to a challenge.