AMELIA EARHART: AVIATOR
PROGRAM TOOLKIT FOR AMERICAN SPACES
An American Hero
This toolkit is designed for programming at American Spaces to support diplomacy through the intersection of culture, innovation, and American history.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Photo credit: Smithsonian Institution via Wikimedia Commons
RESOURCES
Videos
Amelia (111 minutes)* — This biopic, starring Hilary Swank and Richard Gere, features Earhart’s early years and her attempt to fly completely around the globe.
KEY DEFINITIONS
achievement
Something important you succeed in doing after effort.
advocacy
Public support for a cause or idea.
aviation
The science and activity of flying airplanes.
courage
The ability to face danger or difficulty without fear.
disappearance
An event when someone suddenly goes missing.
exploration
Traveling to learn about new places or ideas.
innovation
Introducing new ideas, methods, or technology.
inspiration
A feeling that makes someone act or create.
legacy
The lasting impact a person leaves for future generations.
leadership
The ability to guide and influence others.
perseverance
Continuing to try even when something is hard.
pioneer
A person who is among the first to explore or develop something new.
transatlantic
Traveling across the Atlantic Ocean.
INTRODUCTION
Amelia Mary Earhart (born July 24, 1897; disappeared July 2, 1937; declared dead January 5, 1939) was a famous American pilot and one of the leading figures in the early development of aviation. In 1928, she was the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean by airplane, and in 1932 she became the first woman to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic. Earhart also wrote popular books about her flying experiences and supported opportunities for women pilots. She helped found the Ninety-Nines, an organization for female aviators. In 1937, while trying to fly around the world, she disappeared over the Pacific Ocean and has not been found. Earhart remains an important and inspiring figure in aviation history.
LESSON PLAN
Amelia Earhart: Aviator, Record-Breaker, and Activist | PBS Learning Media
In this lesson, participants will learn about Amelia Earhart’s groundbreaking career as a female aviator. After viewing a video about her life, participants can examine her first pilot’s license and read a letter she wrote to an aspiring aviator.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- How did Amelia Earhart’s achievements in aviation show American leadership in innovation and technology during the early 20th century?
- Why do you think Earhart’s record-breaking flights captured public attention? What does this say about how Americans value exploration and risk-taking?
- What lessons can today’s innovators learn from Amelia Earhart about perseverance, creativity, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible?
- How did media, film, and public storytelling shape Earhart into a national and global symbol of innovation and courage?
OverDrive Resources
Consider organizing discussions, English conversation clubs, scavenger hunts, and displays about the following books. These programs and displays can also be an opportunity to promote individual eLibraryUSA accounts. Regularly highlighting a book or magazine on your social media platforms can generate online discussion and spark interest in eLibraryUSA.
Amelia Earhart: A Biography | OverDrive (Libby)
Earhart died before she was 40 years old. Yet in her last decade she soared from obscurity to fame as the best-known female aviator in the world when flight was still very dangerous and unreliable. Doris L. Rich’s exhaustively researched biography showcases who Earhart really was, including her bravery, independence, and fundraising skills.
Amelia Earhart: First Lady of Flight | OverDrive (Libby)
This magazine celebrates the 87th anniversary of Amelia Earhart’s final flight. It features illustrated articles on her life, aviation achievements, and the mystery of her 1937 disappearance.
Articles
- Amelia Earhart: Mystery and True Heroine | Library of Congress
- Amelia Earhart’s Trailblazing Life in Aviation | Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum
- Purdue Research Foundation and Archaeological Legacy Institute to Embark on Expedition to Identify Amelia Earhart’s Missing Plane | Purdue Research Foundation
Online Exhibits
Amelia Earhart | Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
This online exhibit highlights Earhart as a pioneering aviator and cultural icon, outlining her record-breaking flights, advocacy for women in aviation, and enduring legacy. It also notes her historic solo transatlantic achievement and the continuing fascination with her life and career. It includes artifacts, photos, videos, and a podcast episode. Readers can also view the inside of her plane’s cockpit.
Other Resources
Amelia Earhart: A Resource Guide | Library of Congress
Includes audio of an Earhart speech, a letter from Earhart to aviator Orville Wright, and newspaper articles about her achievements.
Amelia Earhart Birthplace | National Park Service
Learn about the home in Kansas where Earhart grew up.
DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in these links and resources do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. government.
* Post may need to procure these films. Not all films are appropriate for all audiences. Coordinators should preview films before showing them. American Spaces have the right to screen Kanopy films (available through eLibraryUSA) at their American Space if the film has public performance rights. Other films must be covered by the MPLC license.
Here is more information on showing films at American Spaces.
Updated June 2026
