NoisyToys

Learning Through the Creative Exploration of Sound

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Workshops

ATTENTION!

We will be launching new workshops, and a new format for existing workshops, under the name of scavenger labs. This is the community interest company which Noisy Toys operates through (same directors, same ethos) fully details here soon, but here is a brief list of what is planned, starting during the academic year 2025-26. We are looking to work with partner schools to help us develop some of this content, so please get in touch if you are interested in working with us.

The Noisy Toys Scavengers workshops which we have been running in schools and at events for 15 years are still available in their current format. Please feel free to book in the same way for now for the same workshop, just scroll down this page for more info or get in touch.

Forthcoming workshops for 2025-26

  • Sound & Circuits (year 4)
  • e-waste Scavengers
  • Buggy Battles
  • Waves & Cymatics
  • Experimental Music & Improvisation (for groups of musicians, or for anyone)
  • Vibrations & Microphones
  • ‘Ooooh Electromagnetism….’
  • Recording & musical composition

Noisy Toys workshops currently available to book now

Workshops are available for all levels of educational development, from KS2 to adult and specialist groups.

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

Bass Buzz hands

Media Museum-053

Scavengers workshops

available for:

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, A.I.60-120
Music improv.KS2, KS3, teens, mixed/family30music, improvisation, communication, rhythm30-90
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)
SEND STEMSEND groups /various bespoke activities – contactduration
(minutes)
Music improv.
(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

Taster activities for larger groups

agemax. #duration
(minutes)
ScavengersKS3 to adult5030-60 minutes

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 a one-off workshops (pre-made buggies) or project (build your own) for:

  • Primary schools KS2
  • Secondary schools KS3
  • home-ed/clubs
  • online
MORE INFORMATION

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.

Nose-Big_Bang-17

Themes

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

Content

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

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
Media_Museum_show-042

Main Content

Costs

Costs for 2004: £400 per day
(if booked before 31 Dec 24)
Costs for 2005:
– £500 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