Amelia & Night at the Museum Battle of the Smithsonian: Amelia Earheart

A. Watch the movie segment from the movie Night at the Museum - Battle of the Smithsonian and talk about the questions that follow:

1. Describe the scene.

2. Who did he meet in the museum?

3. What achievements did she mention?

4. What adjectives would you use to describe her, having what she said and did as a reference.

5. Why do you think she is in the museum?

A. Work in small groups:

1. What do you know about Amelia Earheart?

B. Amelia Earheart continues to be an inspiration to all those who seek adventures around the world. Several schools have her name. She received several prizes for her aviation records, but she is really famous for her disappearance during her last flight. Read the paragraph below about Earheart's last flight and choose the alternative you believe is the most plausible explanation for her disappearance:

Amelia Earheart decided that her next trip would be to fly around the world. In 1937, she took off to Hawaii with pilot Paul Mantz. On takeoff, Amelia lost control of the plane, but it was repaired in the factory. She changed navigators. Fred Noonan was her lover. No one knows why she left behind some important navigation and communication instruments. On the third day of the trip, they communicated with the Coastal Guard ship. They were never heard again.

a. She simply died after a plane crash in the Pacific Ocean.

b. Her around-the-world flight was a cover for a spy mission to determine what the Japanese were up to in the Pacific.

c. She was captured by the Japanese and died in their hands.

d. She started living on a paradise island in the Pacific Ocean with her lover, Fred Noonan, who was traveling with her.

e. A combination of some of the alternatives above - explain it.

C. Earheart was a determined and adventurous woman whose quotes also became famous. Explain what she meant with them and what conclusions can you come up with about her personality and life style.

"Adventure is worthwhile in itself."

"Courage is the price that life exacts for granting peace. The soul that knows it not, knows no release from little things; knows not the livid loneliness of fear."


"Flying might not be all plain sailing, but the fun of it is worth the price."


"In soloing - as in other activities - it is far easier to start something than it is to finish it."


"Never interrupt someone doing what you said couldn't be done."


"Please know that I am aware of the hazards. I want to do it because I want to do it. Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be a challenge to others."


"The most effective way to do it, is to do it."


"The woman who can create her own job is the woman who will win fame and fortune."


"There is so much that must be done in a civilized barbarism like war."


"Women must pay for everything. They do get more glory than men for comparable feats, but, they also get more notoriety when they crash."


These quotes were taken from the excellent site Acepilots.com

http://www.acepilots.com/earhart2.html

Now watch the segment from the movie Amelia. Then discuss these questions:

1. Describe the scene.

2. Do you think this is the most probable explanation for Amelia's disappearance?

3. What was done by the government when her plane disappeared?

4. Did she deserve it? Why?

5. What's your opinion about Amelia Earheart?

6. Was she an real hero or too reckless to be a hero?


 MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - AMELIA