Scoutmaster Bucky Pottery Merit Badge Workbook

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Pottery Merit Badge Workbook

This Scoutmaster Bucky Merit Badge Workbook is based off the current 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).

https://scoutmasterbucky.com/merit-badges/pottery/

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 2 a: Explain the properties and ingredients of a good clay body for the following:

1. Making sculpture

2. Throwing on the wheel

Requirement 2 b: Tell how three different kinds of potter’s wheels work.

Requirement 3: Make two drawings of pottery forms, each on an 8½-by-11-inch sheet of paper. One must be a historical pottery style. The other must be of your own design.

Historical pottery style

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.

Bat

Wedging

Leather hard

Bone dry

Greenware

Bisque

Terra-cotta

Grog

Slip

Score

Earthenware

Stoneware

Porcelain

Pyrometric cone

Glaze

Requirement 5: Do the following. Each piece is to be painted, glazed, or otherwise decorated by you:

Requirement 5 a: Make a slab pot, a coil pot, and a pinch pot.

Completed

Requirement 5 b: Make a human or animal figurine or decorative sculpture.

Completed

Requirement 5 c: Throw a functional form on a potter’s wheel.

Completed

Requirement 5 d: Help to fire a kiln.

Completed

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:

a. 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.

b. 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.

c. 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.