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      The Great Exhibition and presenting museum alarms

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can prepare and host an exhibition of work.

      Key learning points

      1. The Great Exhibition in 1851 was a an international celebration of inventions and designs from around the world.
      2. An exhibition is a celebration of work.
      3. Designers need to be able to explain how their product works.
      4. Designers need to be able to explain how their product was designed and made.

      Keywords

      • Exhibition - a place to show things for people to see

      • Great Exhibition - the first international exhibition held in London in 1851

      Common misconception

      Exhibiting final products should always produce positive feedback.

      By exhibiting our designs we can find out how to improve the products further.

      Teacher tip

      Invite pupils' friends and family to see the prototypes in action and listen to some presentations. Alternatively, showcase the work to the rest of the school through an exhibition during the school day. This can be linked to other lessons and pupils write invitations to the chosen audience.

      Equipment

      Finished shoe box museum gallery alarm prototypes, an exhibition space such as a school hall or even a corridor or classroom, tablets or paper to record feedback responses.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Why is it important to know your product well?

      Correct answer: so you can explain it clearly
      so you can hide mistakes
      so you can make up answers
      so you can finish quickly

      Q2.
      What can help people understand how your product works?

      Correct answer: a drawing
      a poem
      a story

      Q3.
      What is one reason to share your design at an exhibition?

      to copy someone else’s ideas and products
      to hide your ideas and products
      Correct answer: to share your ideas and products
      To make your ideas and products

      Q4.
      When showing your product to others, what should you do?

      stay quiet and look away
      Correct answer: talk clearly and answer questions
      hide your design
      just wave and smile

      Q5.
      What should you do first if your museum alarm control system does not work?

      ask a teacher
      ask a friend
      Correct answer: fault find
      build the system again

      Q6.
      Who might you present your product to at an exhibition?

      only your best friend
      just your teacher
      Correct answer: anyone who wants to learn about it
      only people in your group

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      Which of these is not a feedback method?

      verbal
      electronic
      Correct answer: decoration
      written

      Q2.
      The Great Exhibition was open in 1851 during which months?

      March to August
      April to September
      Correct answer: May to October
      June to November

      Q3.
      The Crystal Palace building was made from ...

      glass and plastic.
      glass and diamonds.
      glass and textiles.
      Correct answer: glass and iron.

      Q4.
      When might be good time to hold the exhibition?

      2.30am
      Correct answer: 9.00am
      Correct answer: 2.30pm
      9.00pm

      To help you plan your 6 design and technology lesson on: The Great Exhibition and presenting museum alarms, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...