Scouting/BSA/Pottery Merit Badge

The requirements to this merit badge are copyrighted by the Boy Scouts of America. They are reproduced in part here under fair use as a resource for Scouts and Scouters to use in the earning and teaching of merit badges. The requirements published by the Boy Scouts of America should always be used over the list here. If in doubt about the accuracy of a requirement, consult your Merit Badge Counselor.

Reading this page does not satisfy any requirement for any merit badge. Per National regulations, the only person who may sign off on requirements is a Merit Badge Counselor, duly registered and authorized by the local Council. To obtain a list of registered Merit Badge Counselors, or to begin a Merit Badge, please contact your Scoutmaster or Council Service Center.

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:

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

1. Making sculpture

2. Throwing on the wheel

B. 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, [[w:Pyrometric_cone|pyrometric cone], and glaze.

Requirement 5

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

A. Make a slab pot, a coil pot, and a pinch pot.

B. Make a human or animal figurine or decorative sculpture.

C. Throw a functional form on a potter's wheel.

D. 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:

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 about the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.

External links

• Pottery Merit Badge with Workbook PDF, current requirements, and resources.
• Pottery 101 - Basic Pottery Wheel Technique Video from YouTube
• Ceramics careers