Introduce young students to the history of African American aviation through the story of Bessie Coleman, whose brief career as a stunt pilot in the early 1900s inspired a generation of black youth.

Examine the life, career and cultural impact of Bessie Coleman, an African American stunt pilot in the early 1900s. Provide mid­to-late elementary students with a deeper understand­ing of Coleman's signifi­cance through selected readings and images.

Review vintage portraits and biographies of three early African American aviators. Discuss the obstacles overcome by each pioneer, and encourage students to explore and evaluate difficul­ties they've encountered in their own lives.

Part one involves reading three brief biographies of early African American aviators and discussing the obstacles they overcame. In part two, students will examine and compare historical images and letters related to the struggles and accomplishments of black pioneer aviators.