Pottery
Merit Badge Workbook
This Scoutmaster Bucky Merit Badge Workbook is based off the 2020 Scouts BSA Requirements.
Type your work on this page or download the Pottery
Workbook PDF.
Consider also using the Pottery merit badge class preparation page for clarification and expections when participating in a Scoutmaster Bucky merit badge opportunity (online or in-person).
Scout's Name:
Requirement 1: Explain to your counselor the precautions that must be followed for the safe use and operation of a potter’s tools, equipment, and other materials.
Requirement 2: Do the following:
Requirement 2a: Explain the properties and ingredients of a good clay body for the following:
Requirement 2a1: Making sculpture
Requirement 2a2: Throwing on the wheel
Requirement 2b: Tell how three different kinds of potter's wheels work.
Requirement 3: Make two drawings of pottery forms, each on an 8 1/2-by-11-inch sheet of paper. One must be a historical pottery style. The other must be of your own design.
Requirement 4: Explain the meaning of the following pottery terms: bat, wedging, throwing, leather hard, bone dry, greenware, bisque, terra-cotta, grog, slip, score, earthenware, stoneware, porcelain, pyrometric cone, and glaze.
Requirement 5: Do the following. Each piece is to be painted, glazed, or otherwise decorated by you:
Requirement 5a: Make a slab pot, a coil pot, and a pinch pot.
Requirement 5b: Make a human or animal figurine or decorative sculpture.
Requirement 5c: Throw a functional form on a potter's wheel.
Requirement 5d: Help to fire a kiln.
Requirement 6: Explain the scope of the ceramic industry in the United States. Tell some things made other than craft pottery.
Requirement 7: With your parent's permission and your counselor's approval, do ONE of the following:
Requirement 7a: Visit the kiln yard at a local college or other craft school. Learn how the different kinds of kilns work, including low fire electric, gas or propane high fire, wood or salt/soda, and raku.
Requirement 7b: Visit a museum, art exhibit, art gallery, artists' co-op, or artist's studio that features pottery. After your visit, share with your counselor what you have learned.
Requirement 7c: Using resources from the library, magazines, the Internet (with your parent's permission), and other outlets, learn about the historical and cultural importance of pottery. Share what you discover with your counselor.
Requirement 8: Find out about career opportunities in pottery. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.
