There are a number of aspects of the CREST scheme that are fundamental to its success. Firstly, the fact that the content of the awards is student-led allows participants to, as one teacher put it: 'develop ownership of their understanding'. In an educational climate that is increasingly dominated by examinations and assessment it is no surprise that students respond so well to this approach. Another benefit of the scheme is it's flexibility and way in which the awards at different levels cater for (or, more likley, have evolved to fit) the needs and interests of the students and their target groups. At Bronze level the emphasis is on fun, teamwork and transferable skills. This wprks well at KS3 where much research has indicated that students' attitudes towards science have already begun their decline. At the other end of the spectrum Gold awards allow the most able students and potential future scientists to conduct some real research, giving them an accurate basis on which to make their important choices about university and careers. In addition, these students develop practical science and research skills that industries often find lacking in recent science graduates.

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