Global CREST challenges are based around Practical Action’s work, which uses science and technology to address global issues such as energy, water and food.  They give students a real insight into how science and technology can be used to tackle challenges faced by communities in the developing world, and how they can be part of the solution.  These awards form part of the British Science Association's CREST award scheme.

The downloads below provide information on how to get started with the CREST awards and contain a wealth of information on the five different themes which will help your students begin their challenge.  They include a number of different project ideas but your students can equally come up with their own.  There are links to our website giving useful background  information and access to technical information used by real engineers and scientists in the field

CREST - Getting Started

Background information on how to get started on the CREST award scheme using Practical Action's material as a starting point for projects.

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Food

Having sufficient food is one of the major challenges facing us all in the future. Growing, processing and storing food are all areas that make really interesting projects.

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Energy

Access to energy to be able to cook, produce lighting and heating isvital in lifting people our of poverty. Projects can be designed around renewable energy sources, and how to make, store, move and use energy.

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Water

Clean water is essential to life. Diseases carried by water kill millions of people every year. Ideas for projects around getting water, cleaning it, storing it and using it are suggested.

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Shelter

Solving housing problems is a huge task in the developing world. Projects can be around the materials used in construction or the different designs needed for flood proof or earthquake resistant housing.

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Transport

Transport links are essential in helping people lift themselves out of poverty. Students can work on a range of transport projects form bicycles to aerial rope ways.

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At Practical Action we believe in technolgy justice... that everyone has a right to access the technologies they need to live a life they value, as long as that doesn't harm others now or in the future.  By working on propjects inspired by our global CREST challenges we help your students will begin to believe that too and as a result join us in the fight against global poverty.  

To help students understand technology justice in greater depth please consider using the interactive activities below