Primary challenges (ages 3-11)


Typically completed by 3-11 year olds, CREST Star and SuperStar challenges relate to everyday experiences. Children complete six to eight activities to gain a CREST Award, with each activity taking between 45 minutes and one hour to complete.

The activities are designed to be easy-to-run and low-cost. You don’t need to be a teacher, have a science background or have access to specialist equipment to run them. The packs contain helpful hints and tips for you to use, explaining the scientific themes and offering guidance on conversation topics for your children.

There are more CREST approved resources that have been developed by our partners and providers specific to your region.


To browse the packs, click the buttons below or scroll down.

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All SuperStar challenges

  • Text
  • Handson
  • Stem
  • Challenges
  • Discussion
  • Explore
  • Create
  • Experiment
  • Investigate
  • Toothpaste
  • Materials
  • Glue
  • Tomato
  • Yoghurt
  • Superstar
The activities in this pack have been selected from our library of CREST SuperStar challenges. Children need to complete eight challenges to achieve a CREST SuperStar Award. If you want, you can mix and match challenges from different packs, as long as children complete eight SuperStar challenges. 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/).

Polymer Problem Activity

Polymer Problem Activity Card To: You From: Dr Polly Murs RE: Polymer Problem Dear Investigators, Superstar Polymer Competition Scientists at Horners use special substances called polymers to create great new products. Polymers are long chains of tiny particles joined together in groups, a bit like long strings of beads. They use polymers to make stretchy nylon tights, super absorbent nappies and polystyrene cups that keep drinks warm. But they need more ideas! Can you design a great new polymer product? We think we could use sponge to make super silent sneakers, but what else can we do? Over to you! Polly Dr Polly Murs Your challenge Help Dr Polly Murs and the other scientists at Horners to think of some new uses for materials made from polymers. Discuss Talk about some things you use every day that might be made from polymers. Stick a post-it note on five things in the room that you think are made from polymers. Do you all agree?

Getting started Explore the materials on your table. Each material is made from a polymer. What does it look like? What does it feel like? Slippery Sticky Bouncy Light Stretchy Absorbent Flexible Squashy Waterproof Transparent Keeps things warm Bendy Shiny Hard Test your ideas What can be made using your polymer materials? Be really creative. Choose your favourite idea for using one of your polymers and create your design. Make sure your design is big and clear so that you can convince your friends how brilliant it is. Share your ideas You have one minute to share your design. What will you say? Which ideas will you send to Dr Polly Murs? Extra things to do Find out about recycling polymers. Not all polymers are manufactured. Where can you find natural polymers? What would be different if scientists hadn’t discovered polymers? British Science Association Registered Charity No. 212479 and SC039236

Star level

Collections of one hour challenges recommended for children aged 3-7 years that relate to children’s everyday experiences. Find out more about this level and how to gain a CREST Award on the CREST Star page.


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SuperStar level


Collections of one hour challenges recommended for children aged 7-11 years that relate to broader situations that children are likely to have come across. Find out more about this level and how to gain a CREST Award on the CREST SuperStar page.


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