The British Science Association aims to transform people's relationship with science through their programs. They conducted a trial funded by the Education Endowment Foundation to evaluate the impact of their CREST program. The trial found that CREST students achieved higher science GCSE scores than matched controls. It also found CREST students were more likely to take STEM A-levels, especially those eligible for free school meals. The results provide evidence for CREST's benefits and support continued funding and improvements to increase participation of disadvantaged students.

1. Data4Good
14 November 2018
Katherine Mathieson
Chief Executive
British Science Association

2. The British Science Association
The British Science Association is a charity that
aims to revolutionise people’s relationship
with science.
Our mission is to:
- transform the diversity and inclusivity of science;
- reach under-served audiences; and
- increase the number of people actively engaged
and involved in science. people

3. Who are we?
Royal Charter charity
Formed 1831
Turnover: circa £3m pa
Approx 30 staff
Annual reach in 2017:
- 1.125 million members of the public
- 1.109 million young people

4. What are CREST Awards?
• Hands-on science, engineering, design &
technology projects
• 5 to 19-year-olds
• Approx 30,000 young people gain a CREST
Award every year across the UK

5. How does CREST work?
• CREST recognises and rewards
young peoples’ own investigations.
• It’s based on enquiry-based
learning principles which
encourage motivation and
engagement and support learning

6. What we knew….and what we
didn’t
We thought CREST uptake was reasonably
representative of the wider population.
But was it?
Teachers & students thought CREST raised
engagement, attainment & subject choice.
But did it?

7. We asked EEF to fund a trial

8. We asked EEF to fund a trial

9. Helping charities understand and improve their impact

10. Our volunteers
• Rosie Stock Jones
• Tom Annable
• Zoe Billingham
• Cee Macdonald

11. 3 research questions
Qu 1. What are the characteristics of CREST
students?
Qu. 3 Does a Silver CREST Award affect the
likelihood of taking a STEM A level?
Qu 2. Does the Silver CREST Award have an
impact on attainment at GCSE?

12. www.britishscienc
eassociation.org/
crestsilver-report

13. Question 1 - findings
Qu 1. What are the characteristics of CREST students?

14. Question 1 - findings
Qu 1. What are the characteristics of CREST students?

15. Question 2 - findings
Qu 2. Does the Silver CREST Award have an
impact on attainment at GCSE?
37.8
49.8
46.5
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
All students CREST students Matched control group
GCSEpoints
Mean highest science GCSE point score

16. Question 2 - findings
Qu 2. Does the Silver CREST Award have an
impact on attainment at GCSE?
3.3
4.18
3.22
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
CREST Students FSM CREST students Non-FSM CREST students
GCSEPoints
Difference in GCSE points

17. Question 3 - findings
Qu. 3 Does a Silver CREST Award affect the
likelihood of taking a STEM A level?
55
82
68
78
57
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
All students CREST students Matched control group FSM CREST FSM matched
%studentschoosing1+STEMAlevel
% students taking STEM A levels

18. Key messages for educators & funders
•Students who took Silver CREST achieved half a grade higher on their
best science GCSE result compared to a statistically matched control group;
•Students who undertook a CREST Silver Award were 21% more likely to
take a STEM A Level
•Silver CREST students eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) saw a larger
increase in their best science GCSE (two thirds of a grade) compared to a
matched control group who were also eligible for FSM;
•Students who were eligible for Free School Meals and took part in a
CREST Silver Award were 38% more likely to take a STEM subject at A
Level than the matched control group;

19. Benefits - external
Quality, credibility, reassurance
Support for our teacher champions
Interest from policymakers and
funders

20. Benefits - internal
Improvements to the CREST scheme e.g. grants for
disadvantaged student populations
Data skills e.g. designing new online registration
platform, new data warehouse
GDPR readiness
Staff & partner motivation
Data-driven approach in other programme areas

21. We asked EEF to fund a trial

22. We asked EEF to fund a trial

23. Questions welcome
Katherine Mathieson
Katherine.Mathieson@britishscience
association.org
@Kath_Math