Nose Test
The ultimate ice-breaker engagement activity
- accessible, quick and fun
- multiple educational angles
- suitable for all ages and abilities from babies to professors to compliant dogs
- guaranteed smiles
- Can last 30 seconds or be extended with further experiments
- Low-pressure engagement
Participants test each other’s noses with a gentle squeeze, passing a (very low) current and so producing a variable squeak and a guaranteed smile.
Do you dare try the infamous Noisy Toys Nose Test? Tens of thousands of people have had their noses tested and most of them suffered no adverse effects so it’s really nothing to worry about. Probably. So why not step up and present yours?
Photo: Polytech Festival, Gorky Park, Moscow, 2018
Bring a friend, or your whole family- we can test you all in a circuit (a ‘nose ring’) and if you have a carrot or a dog we can test those too, or anything else.
We may use ‘mild peril’ to build up the tension…
Nose Testing was spontaneously invented by Noisy Toys in 2010 and has now been adopted by other science communication organisations, which is fine. But we did it first OK?
Photo: ACS international school’s event, Thorpe Park, 2025
This simple interaction can extend from a couple to a family to large groups of 20 or more. It can last for less than a minute if people are passing by, or be built into a mini-show if a crowd gathers. In this case we build up the dramatic tension and also go a bit deeper into the explanation of circuitry and conductivity, with young participants helping to test various objects.
Photo: Live at Jodrell Bank Festival, 2013
“Excuse me would you like to get your nose tested?”
“what’s that now?”
“it’s easy, just hold onto this. Now, do you mind if I touch your nose?”
Photo: Camper Calling Festival, 202
Despite being a lot of fun, the Nose Test has many educational benefits- it helps our understanding of basic circuitry (and is used as a starter for workshops). It is a very effective hands-on way for people to experiment with the varying electrical resistance of different materials. We can use it to demonstrate analogue control in an electrical system and to simulate various potential faults and repairs in electrical items.
Photo: National Science & Media Museum, Bradford
Photos: Greta Santagata, Blue Dot Festival 2013