Barrington Irving grew up in a rough neighborhood in Miami, convinced that a football career was his best shot at success. Just a few years later, after a chance meeting with a pilot, Barrington became the youngest person and only African-America to ever fly around the world solo. Today, he works to get kids excited about STEM fields through his nonprofit Experience Aviation. Barrington is currently planning another round-the-world flight in a plane he calls a Flying Classroom and this time, he's letting kids take the reins. Students around the globe will use science and math to make flight plans, navigate Barrington to his destination and even plan his meals. Barrington hopes the ensuing sense of accomplishment will build confidence in young students and spark a desire to learn more. Join Host Kate Ebner for a conversation with a National Geographic Emerging Explorer who's changing the conversation about STEM education in America. 

Guest Biography

In 2007, Captain Barrington Irving became the youngest person, at 23, and the first black pilot to fly solo around the globe. Born in Jamaica and brought up in inner-city Miami, Barrington saw a football scholarship as his route to college until, inspired by a Jamaican airline pilot who became his mentor, he decided to pursue a career in aviation. Barrington founded the nonprofit Experience Aviation, offering STEM-based programs and career guidance to students in the Miami area. He has received many awards including a 2007 Congressional Resolution honoring his flight and his work in education. In 2012, he was named a National Geographic Emerging Explorer. Barrington is currently planning his next flight around the world, the Classroom in the Sky, scheduled for 2014.  He will set new aviation records as he flies to all seven continents. Throughout the flight, he will conduct air and land expeditions combined with live learning to engage millions of students throughout the world.