‘Noisy Toys were fantastic, easy to work with and very professional. They helped launch Manchester Science Festival and created a brilliant spectacle which adults and children alike all loved.‘
Claire Critchley, Learning Producer, Community Partnerships,
Museum of Science & Industry, Manchester
‘Steve and the Noisy Toys crew have been a very popular and lively feature of the kids area at Latitude for the last two years, and attract a constant stream of children and adults into their tent. The team pretend to blow up kids leaving behind only a pair of smoking wellies- great fun! They always deliver a high quality area.‘
Sharon Rueben, Head of Artist & Guest Liason,
Festival Republic
‘Noisy Toys worked with FabLab to build a sound installation for the Maker Faire- this was very popular and had The Noisy Toys quickly become one of the most magnetic part of the festival, the installation was interacted by hundreds of families and children weekend. Noisy Toys is an amazing way both to entertain and to draw people’s attention to reusing and upcycling’
Vladimir Kuznetsov,
Maker Faire Moscow lead producer, founder and director of
Fab Lab Moscow
‘Noisy Toys ran a fantastic and very popular area within the Big Bang Fair 2014, involving drop-in activities and regular ‘messy science’ demonstrations. People of all ages really enjoyed using the interactive equipment and watching the demonstrations, and seemed to react very well to the fun, creative and zany elements of it all. Definitely recommended!’
Hannah Graves
Big Bang Fair
‘Noisy Toys was one of the most popular elements in our large circle of artists at Camp Bestival. We were delighted by their engagement with the public of all ages and they all worked fantastically hard all weekend. The experimenting with sounds and noises was mesmerising to the young people and was stretching their minds with technical invention. If any artform is designed to get young people thinking outside of the box then this one will.’
Deborah Curtis
The House of Fairy Tales
‘The Acousatron was a fantastic addition to our Half term activities and kept children and adults of all ages engaged and entertained in what was one of our busiest weeks of the year. The Noisy Toys team worked tirelessly for 9 solid days and their enthusiasm and energy never wavered – I don’t know how they do it! At Eureka! we’re always looking for interesting and playful ways to engage children with STEM and the activities Noisy Toys provide certainly tick that box. It was a delight to see children of different ages and abilities interact with The Acousatron and for them to be learning whilst having fun which is what Eureka! is all about.’
Jenny Parker, Play & Learning Manager
Eureka! The National Children’s Museum
‘‘Bass in Your Face’ is a great show! Providing an intriguing and interactive demonstration of the science around sound waves; the pupils were especially fascinated by the use of upcycled speakers and household gadgets. This worked well as part of the Big Bang @ Eastbourne for over 600 Key Stage 3 students with varying interest and ability in science.’
Bronagh Liddicoat, Head of
STEM Sussex, University of Brighton
‘A wide variety of learning outcomes achieved; participants felt inspired by the workshop and wanted to learn more. Demonstrations and activities were exciting, fun and science explanations were clear, excellent science communication skills from all staff. Truly immersive environment, we loved the dome and the set up.’
Sarah Thomas, Event Developer
Edinburgh International Science Festival
‘Noisy Toys was a weird and wonderful noisy tent of creative madness in the Future Generation (kids) field in 2012. This year they gave it more of a jam-session focus in the Somewhere field (teenagers’ area). The crew are experts at engagement and find a perfect balance between other-worldly imagination and solid science learning’
Emily Williams, Area Manager,
Green Man Festival
‘Steve provided a day of workshops on the Science of Sound at a ‘Science in a Nightclub’ event that I was coordinating during National Science and Engineering Week. His workshops were very well received and I would have no hesitation in using him again or recommending him for similar events’
Claire Willis, Inspiring Science Coordinator,
Science Learning Centre North East
‘We’ve worked with Noisy Toys for multiple events now and their activities are always super popular with kids and adults alike! The kids are so intrigued by their set up and the team are really great getting them engaged and teaching them about the different technology behind the ‘noisy toys’, will be booking for them future events for sure!’
Naomi Buckland, Events & Production Manager
Peddler Events
‘Noisy Toys were a brilliant addition to our Science and Nature Festival here at Jimmy’s Farm. Their incredible noise making devices had kids and adults alike shrieking in amazement with the biggest smiles you can imagine. Thanks Noisy Toys, we can’t wait to have you back!’
Kate Cotterill, Marketing and Events Manager
Jimmy’s Farm
‘I have observed Steve Summers running his Noisy Toys workshops in schools and during science and arts festivals. The young people who experience it and experiment enthusiastically with the sound making devices all gain a greater understanding of how sound works and have fun learning. In action it sounds huge and complex. The various sound stations look astonishing, providing a creative, cross-curricular approach to aspects of science. Steve is currently working with some young people to design and build a permanent sound installation so students can explore the potential to manipulate sound and change school spaces.’
Jason Butcher, Ucan.TV / Deputy Head
Egerton High School
Schools’ testimonials
‘I worked with Steve (Noisy Toys) as part of the Media Museum’s ‘Make Some Noise’ festival. This involved Steve delivering a host of sound based content in local schools, as part of our school engagement programme. Using a variety of multi-sensory tools and techniques, Steve establishes the principles of sound whilst alerting pupils to its wonders. His sessions are fun, inquisitive and open-ended. Moreover, they encourage pupils to explore sound beyond the classroom. This is fundamental to his practice: Noisy Toys spark passion in sound. Of the many schools that we visited, I could see pupils eyes (and ears) being opened to the subject. I am very happy to recommend Steve and Noisy Toys.’
Mr Iain Hendry, Audience Developer,
National Science & Media Museum
Steve ran a FANTASTIC whole day of hands-on science activities as part of science week at Pictor Special School. ALL THE CHILDREN WERE ABLE TO ACCESS THE DAY AS STEVE WAS ABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR CHILDREN THROUGH DIFFERENTIATING THE ACTIVIITIES The children THOROUGHLY enjoyed the sessions, and some drew some pictures of Steve with the alien Goop afterwards!
Carla While, SCIENCE CO-ORDINATOR
Pictor school, TIMPERLEY
‘Thanks so much for the Sound & Circuits workshops today – the children had a brilliant time and were talking about it to everyone at lunch!’
Bridget Rudette,
Heybrook Primary School
‘The children were fascinated. It is science they will all remember because they enjoyed it so much.’
Liz Clover, Head teacher,
Park Road Primary School
‘Thank you for the fantastic ‘Bass in your Face’ workshop which both students and teachers here at Gildredge House School enjoyed immensely. It was really engaging and lots of fun as well as insightful about the science of sound. Stephen is a natural entertainer and teacher and it was one of the favourite workshops of the day by far.’
Heather Beames, Deputy Head,
Gildredge House school
‘The young people who experience it and experiment enthusiastically with the sound making devices all gain a greater understanding of how sound works and have fun learning.’
Jason Butcher, Ucan.TV / Deputy Head
Egerton High School (EBD)
‘Thank you so much for enlightening the children about sound and electrical circuits; they particularly enjoyed the Nose Test!/
Dawn Martin, Headteacher,
Gossops Green Primary School
‘Our children had a fantastic time learning about different types of circuits and how to make a wide variety of sounds from different materials. Steve was an excellent teacher and the children responded very well to the interesting activities throughout the session. I would fully recommend Noisy Toys to any primary school who would like their children to learn more about electricity and sound production’
Richard Street, Deputy Head,
Bilton Grange Primary
‘I learnt how to put microphones on bits of metal and make instruments and then we learnt some beats and played them on our instruments’
Kane, 11
‘We’ve worked with Steve and Noisy Toys on a couple of projects in very different settings.
Once in a primary school, when he ran a music science workshop that was the talk of the school for months after and again when he ran an activity and stage show on our feature at the Sunday Times Festival of Education. Unlike many other STEM demonstrators, Steve brings a uniquely magical raw creativity and personality to his work, combined with a ruthless professionalism and attention to detail.
I highly commend him, his craziness and his hand picked team to you.’
Nick Corston, Co-founder/CEO
STEAM Co.
‘All classes really enjoyed it especially the hands-on nature of the activities. It was lots of fun and allowed everyone to get involved in playing with sounds and making music together. The sessions were adapted for each age group so everyone benefited from it. I have no hesitation in recommending Steve and Noisy Toys.‘
Carole Marret, Music Coordinator,
Button Lane School
‘I made a drum with a saucepan and it goes ‘DONG!!!’ really loud when you turn it up’
Josh, 11
‘Thank you for the enormous effort that you contributed personally to the Little House of Fairy Tales.’
Lindsey Woodford, Headteacher,
St Saviours Primary School
‘We learnt about how sound works and the sound waves and we made our own music’
Leah, 13
‘Noisy Toys was brought in for the young people to try and was an instant hit. Steve facilitated various ‘toys’ which enabled yp to create their own sound. One yp took the mic and performed a rhyme whilst another arranged some beats on a drum machine, with others adding live sounds. The yp enjoyed themselves and came away from the session asking for more.’
Clare Donegan, Company Director,
Outta Place