Low-resource or low equipment sharing resources


The resources on this page have been selected to support educators in finding CREST project ideas that require little equipment, can be run outside of a lab or at home, and use equipment that doesn’t require much sharing.

Find out more about the different CREST Award levels here: CREST Awards.

At primary level, our curated home learning packs don’t require many resources so they’re perfect to use either in the classroom or at home. For Primary teachers who have CLEAPSS access, we recommend this piece on doing Practical activities within your bubble.

At secondary level, each project brief has an overall challenge, ideas for getting started and a list of resources you might need. Read the health and safety section carefully before you begin. Young people should create a plan for their project and a risk assessment before they begin any practical activity. You can use the CLEAPSS student safety sheets as well as the rest of the CLEAPSS website to help them.

If you are looking for further advice on how to get started with CREST, visit our help centre and check out our FAQs.

If you are looking for ideas for running CREST at home, many of the below resources are suitable, and you can still access our Star and SuperStar Home Learning packs below. If you need further support, check out the CREST at home section of the Help Centre.


To browse the resources, click the buttons below or scroll down.
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3 years ago

Machines of the future teacher pack

  • Text
  • Activities
  • Timings
  • Feedback
  • Teams
  • Powerpoint
  • Develop
  • Workshops
  • Workshop
  • Crest
  • Examples
This resource is published under an Attribution - non-commercial - no derivatives 4.0 International creative commons licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Contents 3 Background 3

Contents 3 Background 3 Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning The future of machine learning The Royal Society Overview 4 Materials and printing list 5 Timings – one-day project 6 Timings – five-lesson project 7 Step-by-step delivery guide 8 4 Starter activity 10 Everyday examples of AI 11 Facilitation questions 12 About CREST Discovery 13 8 2

Background Over the last few years we have seen big developments in the field of machine learning – a topic that is no longer just a thing of the future. Many of us now interact with systems using machine learning on a daily basis, such as image and voice recognition on social media and virtual personal assistants. Artificial intelligence and machine learning What is AI? AI is an umbrella term that refers to a suite of technologies in which computer systems are programmed to exhibit complex behaviour, when acting in conditions of uncertainty. What is machine learning? Machine learning is a technology that allows computers to learn directly from examples and experience in the form of data. Traditional approaches to programming rely on hardcoded rules, which set out how to solve a problem, step-by-step. In contrast, machine learning systems are set a task, and given a large amount of data to use as examples of how this task can be achieved or from which to detect patterns. The system then learns how best to achieve the desired output. What is an algorithm? An algorithm is a list of rules which can be followed to solve a problem or make a decision. Check out this really simple explanation from BBC Bitesize https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/articles/z3whpv4 What do we mean by machine? In the context of machine learning a ‘machine’ usually refers to a computer that learns directly from examples and experience in the form of data. What is a robot? In the context of machine learning and AI, a ‘robot’ typically refers to the embodied form of AI; robots are physical agents that act in the real world. These physical manifestations might have sensory inputs and abilities powered by machine learning. The future of machine learning In the future, it is likely we will continue to see advances in the capabilities of machine learning, and this exciting process has the potential to change the way we use data in a range of areas. Tools are already being developed to support healthcare, policing, telecommunications, driving and farming. What will be next? The social and economic opportunities which will follow the increased use of machine learning are significant. The Royal Society The Royal Society is the world's oldest independent scientific academy in continuous existence, dedicated to promoting excellence in science. The Society works to recognise, promote, and support excellence in science and to encourage the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity. The Royal Society’s machine learning policy project is investigating the potential of machine learning over the next 5-10 years and exploring how this technology can be developed in a way that benefits everyone. The Royal Society has launched a report setting out the action needed to maintain the UK’s role in advancing this technology while ensuring careful stewardship of its development. The Royal Society has supported the development of this CREST Discovery resource. 3

Challenges for ages 5-11


These challenges take about an hour each. Once you have completed eight of them you can get a CREST SuperStar Award. Start by downloading the Passport. Children can use this to record each activity they complete.

Our curated packs for home learning require very little equipment or resources, so are ideal now that you are back in the classroom. They also add flexibility as students can finish their Star or SuperStar Award at home, if needed.

Each challenge has an organiser card and an activity card. All the instructions to set up the activity are in the organiser card. Read the 'watch out' section carefully before you begin. Children can use the activity card or you can read it through together.

Find out more about Star and SuperStar levels here.


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Projects for ages 11-18


Each of these projects take between ten and thirty hours to complete. The project briefs have an overall challenge, ideas for getting started and a list of resources students might need. Before they begin, students should read the health and safety section carefully. Once students have completed their projects, they can get a CREST Discovery, Bronze, Silver or Gold Award. The amount of time spent on the project and how well they met the CREST criteria determines the level students will be awarded.

Start by downloading the relevant Workbook or Profile Form below. Young people can use these to help them complete their project and record their progress.

Young people should create a plan for their project and a risk assessment before they begin any practical activity, which should be checked by a teacher. You can use the CLEAPSS student safety sheets as well as the rest of the CLEAPSS website to help them.

For Bronze projects, once a student has completed their project, you can sign up to assess it and order their personalised certificate here. Bronze assessment is incredibly easy and can also be adapted for at-home learning if needed due to unexpected lockdowns, meaning parents can always assess when teachers cannot. Check out how to assess a Bronze project here

For Silver and Gold projects student work will need to be submitted online and will be assessed by a CREST assessor. Learn more about assessment for Silver Awards here

Find out more about Bronze level here.

Find out more about Silver level here.

Find out more about Gold level here.


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