CSIRO CREST Awards
What
is it?
- All students can achieve CREST Awards.
- CREST focuses on the individual and encourages success and skill development
- Students pursue a topic of interest to them
- The programme has been developed and trialled in schools across Australia
- Students can work towards CREST Awards at any time. They can take
as long as they need to complete their projects.
- It is necessary to register your school or science club to participate
in Secondary CREST activity.
- CREST is not a competition.
How
do I find it?
CSIRO CREST Awards
CSIRO Education
Post: PO Box 225, DICKSON ACT 2602
Phone: 1800-626646
Fax: 02 6276-6641
http://www.csiro.au/crest
State contacts can be found on the website.
Who
runs it?
- CREST Awards are offered by CSIRO Education
- CREST awards are also supported by Alcoa World Alumina Australia and
Territory Education Departments, in particular the Victorian Department
of Education, Employment and Training.
How
much will it cost?
There
is an initial cost of registration for each Secondary CREST Centres
of $43.35. Annual renewal of this thereafter is $10.80. Upon registration
schools receive:
- 1 CREST Teacher Handbook - Science
- 1 CREST Teacher Handbook - Technology
- 5 CREST Student Handbooks - Science (as a reference set for the school)
- 5 CREST Student Handbooks - Technology (as a reference set for the
school)
- copies of CRESTNEWS and new copies as printed.
There
is an individual cost to each student of:
- Bronze $5.40 per student (covers cost of Student
Handbook, Bronze Profile Card, certificate, medallion and postage)
- Silver $10.80 per student (covers cost of Student Handbook, Silver
Profile Card, certificate, medallion and postage)
- Gold $21.65 per student (covers cost of Student Handbook, Gold Profile
Card, certificate, medallion and postage)
What's
in it for the students?
- CREST provides students with a nationally accredited
award for completing experimental science or technology projects.
- When students meet the CREST criteria, their efforts are rewarded
by the presentation of a certificate and in some levels a medallion.
Students
also benefit from CREST in that the programme:
- motivates and provides enjoyment
- increases knowledge and understanding of science and technology
- develops essential practical skills
- provides commitment and ownership
- links school with the world of work
- involves adults other than teachers
- secures a tangible record of achievement
- develops skills in Key Competencies
What
do students need to do?
-
Students choose, carry out and evaluate their
own project with guidance from a teacher/supervisor. Extensive written
support material is provided.
- Students gaining CREST Awards must demonstrate that they have been
CREATIVE, that they have PERSEVERED and that they have carried out experimental
research into a topic which has APPLICATIONS in the everyday world.
- Students work on their projects individually or in small groups.
Each student has their progress monitored and recorded by their teacher/supervisor
throughout their project work.
What
types of award are available?
-
There are two CREST programmes available - Primary
and Secondary.
- The Awards are available in three levels - BRONZE, SILVER and GOLD.
- The differences between the levels depend on time commitment, complexity
of task, scientific and technological ability, and sheer perseverance
on the part of the participants.
- BRONZE awards require at least 10 hours and are fairly flexible in
their format.
- SILVER awards require at least 30 hours work and some experience in
research projects. The topic requires approval from the National Coordinator
or Regional CREST Office. A mentor is recommended and one third party
is involved in assessment.
- GOLD awards require more than 100 hours work and the topic must be
based on an original idea. Students must already have a silver CREST
award to be eligible. The project requires approval from the National
CREST Coordinator and the use of a mentor is compulsory. Two external
assessors are involved.
Full
judging criteria are available on the website. The age of the student
is not taken into account in judging.
What's
in it for teachers?
Teachers
have an integral role in the CREST programme as - facilitators, coaches,
consultants, mentors and assessors.
For
teachers CREST provides:
- extensive written support material
- professional development workshops
- a network of CREST schools to allow teachers to contribute their experience
and/or learn from others
- advice and further information on a "freecall" phone number linked
to CREST staff.
CREST
directly benefits teachers in that it:
- motivates all students
- adds depth to the curriculum, through a structured, coherent problem-solving
process
- offers a national and regional network for support and development
- provides recognition for the efforts of students, teachers and schools
- develops Key Competencies in students
- incorporates the process outcomes of the National Science and/or Technology
Statements into the teaching programme.
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