Pottery

Note: This merit badge has been changed to allow a Scout's guardian to approve or permit some activities
such as use of the internet or meetings with individuals that are not registered members of BSA.
In each case parent's has been replaced by parent or guardian's

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.
2. Do the following:
   1. Explain the properties and ingredients of a good clay body for the following:
      1. Making sculpture
      2. Throwing on the wheel
   2. Tell how three different kinds of potter's wheels work.
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.
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.
5. Do the following. Each piece is to be painted, glazed, or otherwise decorated by you:
   1. Make a slab pot, a coil pot, and a pinch pot.
   2. Make a human or animal figurine or decorative sculpture.
   3. Throw a functional form on a potter's wheel.
   4. Help to fire a kiln.
6. Explain the scope of the ceramic industry in the United States. Tell some things made other than craft pottery.
7. With your parent's parent or guardian's permission and your counselor's approval, do ONE of the following:
   1. 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.
   2. 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.
   3. Using resources from the library, magazines, the Internet (with your parent's parent or guardian's permission), and other outlets, learn about the historical and cultural importance of pottery. Share what you discover with your counselor.
8. Find out about career opportunities in pottery. Pick one and find out about the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.

BSA Advancement ID#: 87
Scoutbook ID#: 91
Requirements last updated in: 2008
Pamphlet Publication Number: 35934
Pamphlet Stock (SKU) Number: 35934
Pamphlet Revision Date: 2014

Blanks in this worksheets table appear when we do not have a worksheet for the badge that includes these requirements.