IOA Primary School Competition: Draw the Difference Between Sound and Noise

Editorial overview

The IOA Primary School Competition starts with an unusually useful question for young children: when does a sound become noise? The Institute of Acoustics asks pupils to notice the contrast between sounds they enjoy and those they find unwelcome, then express both sides through a handmade drawing, collage, patchwork or similar artwork. That makes the task more than decorative. A child first has to listen, compare and decide what a sound feels like before choosing how colour, shape and texture can represent it.

This is a particularly good first competition for a pupil who enjoys art but is curious about how the physical world works. The official format allows individual entries or groups of up to four, so teachers can use it as a class investigation before pupils make their final work. CompeteMap’s view is that the strongest preparation is a short sound walk and an honest conversation, not an adult-designed composition. The artwork should still look like the child’s own answer to the problem. Its value lies in joining observation and expression without requiring specialist equipment or advanced scientific vocabulary.

Quick Facts

For current dates and entry instructions, see the IOA Primary School Competition page.

This guide was checked on 20 October 2026.

Begin with listening, not drawing

Ask the child to collect two short lists: sounds that feel pleasant and sounds that interrupt, irritate or overwhelm. The official examples range from birdsong and music to traffic, aircraft and playground noise. The useful discussion is why the same sound can be welcome in one setting and unwanted in another.

A simple preparation session can include:

• a five-minute indoor and outdoor sound walk;
• words for volume, rhythm, repetition and distance;
• one colour or texture associated with each sound;
• a rough layout that makes the contrast visible at a glance.

The final work does not need to explain acoustics formally. It needs a clear idea. A crowded collage may contain many sounds but communicate less than a focused image with two strongly differentiated spaces.

Let the medium support the idea

Drawing works well when the child wants characters or a scene. Collage can make noisy layering tangible. Patchwork or mixed materials can distinguish smooth, comforting sounds from sharp or repetitive ones. Choose the medium after the idea, and keep construction realistic for the child’s age.

The official submission uses photographs of the finished work, including a complete view and useful close-ups. Photograph in even daylight, keep the camera parallel to the artwork and check that texture is visible. Do not send the physical piece unless the organiser’s current instructions change.

What adults should and should not do

Adults can organise a sound walk, provide safe materials and help take an accurate photograph. They should not redraw the composition, correct every irregular edge or supply a sophisticated scientific explanation in the child’s voice.

👉 A good test is whether the pupil can point to the artwork and explain which sounds are represented and why they chose those visual forms.

Related competitions on CompeteMap

• Monster Mayhem Drawing Competition for younger children who prefer pure character invention.
• RTÉ This Is Art! Competition for young artists on the island of Ireland working from an annual theme.
• ISA Art and Sports Design Competition for pupils entering through an ISA member school.

Key Takeaways

• The competition rewards attentive listening translated into visual choices.
• Start with real sounds from the child’s environment before choosing materials.
• Keep the artwork child-led, even when a school enters a group.
• Photograph the finished work clearly and follow the live submission instructions.

Sources checked

• https://www.ioa.org.uk/student-training-career/ioa-student-competitions/ioa-primary-school-competition-2026
• https://www.ioa.org.uk/student-training-career/ioa-student-competitions