NoisyToys | Creative Sound Exploration

Learning Through the Creative Exploration of Sound

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Workshops

Technical, creative & scientific learning – hands-on experimentation

Workshops are available for all levels of educational development, from early years to adult and specialist groups.

All school workshops are led by Steve Summers (QTS) unless otherwise stated.

Suitable in the classroom but also at events and other non-school settings. Home-ed, special and alternative education settings are all welcome.

Bass Buzz hands

We have been running educational activities in schools and all kinds of other settings for nearly 20 years. We now have many specialist workshops listed below. The information here is a guideline; we often design bespoke workshops and activities to suit specific needs, so please get in touch to discuss how we can meet your requirements.

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Scavengers workshops

Our popular ‘Scavengers’ workshops represent the core of what Noisy Toys is about: learning about physics and experimenting with sound using upcycled e-waste.

If you’re not sure what you want, book this one!

MORE INFORMATION

Workshops for whole class groups

agemax. #duration
(minutes)
ScavengersKS2, KS3, teens, mixed/family30sound, circuits, e-waste/ sustainability
Tinkering		30-120
Buggy BattlesKS2, KS3, teens, mixed/family30coding, Making, engineering, design60-120
Year 4 sound
& circuits		year 4 30Tailored for the National Curriculum Programmes of Study: Sound & Electricity60-90
Neuron ModellingKS4 +15Coding, electronics, neuroscience, biology90-120

Specialist workshops for small groups

agemax. #duration
(minutes)
Let’s get Entangled!12+15Quantum physics & music improvisation30-60
SEND STEMSEND groups /various bespoke activities – contact
Music
improvisation		KS2, KS3, teens, mixed/family15music, improvisation, communication, rhythm30-90
Music
improvisation
(advanced)		previous musical
experience		12music, improvisation, ensemble skills60-120
Spark Gap
Radio		year 6 to adult12Electromagnetic waves, history
of radio, Tinkering, circuits		30-60
Sketchy
Circuits		year 6 to adult15Tinkering, circuits, coding, Making60-120
Instrument
Making		year 6 to adult8Various upcycled instrument-making60-120
Noisy Neuronsyear 6 to adult12Build & code models of neurons & synapses120 +

Music Workshops

Accessible, fun, games-based music, soundscape & DIY instruments

available for:

  • Primary schools KS2 (15 max)
  • Secondary schools KS3 (15 max)
  • drop-in at events
  • advanced/ music ensemble
MORE INFORMATION
music workshops play
Battle Buggy 1

Buggy Battles

Making & coding Buggies for bimbling & battle

Available as one-off workshops (pre-made buggies) or project (build your own).

MORE INFORMATION

Subjects

  • electromagnetism / physics
  • sound / recording / microphones
  • circuits / electricity
  • sustainability / repair / waste / re-use
  • musical ensemble skills
  • instrument building
  • coding / hacking / strategy
  • technology / engineering
  • rhythm games / vocal / instrumental music
  • quantum physics

Content

  • Making & tinkering
  • hands-on activities
  • experimentation
  • creative thinking
  • musical composition & performance
  • group work
  • problem-solving
  • improvisation
  • non-verbal communication

All workshops can be adapted and planned to meet specific requirements, just get in touch here.

All workshops delivered by Stephen Summers (QTS) unless otherwise stated.

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What to expect

Laser slinky
Most schools opt for an introductory show, followed by workshops. The show does not cost any extra if it is part of a full day of workshops. Some schools choose to have the whole school (or as many as can fit in) enjoy the show, even if just one year-group is taking part in the workshops. Shows are also available on their own without workshops, more information here.

  • Optional stage show at no extra charge
  • 60 or 90 minute workshop sessions
  • Led by a qualified teacher and experienced performer
  • Adaptable to suit your requirements
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Main Content

Costs

Costs for schools 2006:
– £450 day of workshops + optional show
– £300 half day + optional show
– £200 single show only, £75 each additional show
– travel (at 30p X miles) may need to be added for jobs over 50 miles from HX7 but there are usually ways to reduce or avoid these costs, especially if you have flexibility with dates. Please get in touch to discuss how we can make this work for you.

Information

– All school workshops are led a qualified teacher with over ten years’ experience.
– Full enhanced DBS clearance.
– Full PLI insurance covers all workshops.
– Free assembly show at no extra cost
– Groups of up to 30
– 30-90 minutes/workshop
– practical requirements pdf here.

Testimonials

"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

“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 Media Museum

"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

“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

"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

"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.

“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

“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

"I am writing to 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

“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