ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Adrian Naylor gripped the steering wheel and concentrated — his turn in a long line of fellow students champing at the bit for a turn at the driving simulator.
"He said I went the farthest so far," Adrian, 12, said as she stepped off the auto track and heard her score from the Flying Classroom team member Thursday morning.
It was STEM Fest, a first-time event at Queen City Airport, at which Capt. Barrington Irving brought his innovative, critical thinking activities to more than 500 Allentown School District students who participate in the enrichment-oriented 21st Century Community Learning Centers.
The district began incorporating Irving's program into its curriculum last November.
"So many students are in school every day, yet they struggle to see the relevance of what they’re learning. They often ask themselves the same question I asked when I was their age: 'When am I ever going to use this in real life?'Capt. Barrington Irving
Irving is a Jamaican-born American pilot who in 2007 became the youngest and first Black person to fly solo around the world, according to his website.
He travels the country inviting students to come up with innovative solutions to problems he discovers on his travels to over 80 countries and 75 STEM expeditions.
Thursday's STEM Fest is what he does.
"So many students are in school every day, yet they struggle to see the relevance of what they’re learning," Irving said. "They often ask themselves the same question I asked when I was their age: 'When am I ever going to use this in real life?'
"For me, that shift happened when I started learning how to fly. Suddenly, all the math, science, reading and even writing had a real-world purpose. These subjects weren’t just academic requirements anymore—they were essential tools.
"Flying Classroom is about making that connection. We explore the world based on the curiosity of children and we’ve figured out a way to create meaningful content."
'Feels fun trying to find answers'
Just how meaningful was the content at STEM Fest?
"I can see everything all around me!" exclaimed 12-year-old Amani Mendez, who wants to be a zoologist when he grows up.
The boy at one station made special glasses out of plastic frames, a putty and some reflective paper stock that enabled him to see behind him without turning his head.
Students made their own X-ray machines with string lights and a cardboard box frame, they designed paper plate Frisbee-style flyers that some decorated in their high school colors, and others mocked up paper bowl bird nests, just like an adult bird would do in the wild.
Clay stuck to the base, and paper gift bag fill stuck to that, to which they could pick from colorful plastic eggs and bright feathers to build it up.
Anais Naylor said math is her favorite school subject.
Why?
"It feels fun trying to find answers to questions people can't usually do themselves," Anais, 11, said as she sat beside her sister at the Owl Pellet station.
Their hands protected by clear plastic gloves, the two used long-handled tweezers to pick apart formed balls of indigestible debris left over after an owl consumes a rodent.
They compared their tiny sharp findings to a chart to help identify the bones.
'Aviation reaches so many'
David George manages the district's 21st Century Community Learning Centers funded by federal grants that offers after-school instruction and enrichment opportunities.
Students participating in the 21st CCLC receive 432 hours of instruction during the school year, with an additional 64 hours provided over the summer, according to its website.
"Today was truly special."Local pilot Andrew Powell
"Today's event created memorable moments for approximately 500 ASD students and was 'food for the soul,'" George said.
He thanked Irving and his team, the state department of education, Superintendent Carol Birks and the school board "for the opportunity and support to provide the homework help, tutoring and academic programs and events like STEM Fest to the district's students."
Most memorable for Irving at the event was when Moser Elementary student Sophia Acosta was lifted out of her wheelchair by her nurse Ashley Valerio, Irving and local pilot Andrew Powell, up into the cockpit of Powell's Rockwell Commander plane.
Powell came to meet Irving also — a self-proclaimed fan.
"Today was truly special," Powell said. "I had the chance to meet students who’ve only ever seen me in expedition videos or read about me in books.
"You could see the excitement on their faces — the quiet mumbling of 'Is that really him?' or 'I can’t believe he came to see us in Allentown.'
"The most touching moment was meeting a young lady who was in a wheelchair but she really wanted to go inside of an airplane.
"Collaborating with the Allentown 21st Century team we made the experience happen with a local aircraft owner and pilot. Her smile and enthusiasm as she sat in the cockpit was priceless. Aviation reaches so many in unique ways."
'Literally change a generation'
Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority arranged to hold the new event in its Lower hangar at Queen City, which offered plenty of space.
"We want students to connect with resources in the community and see the possibilities beyond the classroom walls. There is a world of opportunity waiting for them, and it's available if you put in the work."Capt. Barrington Irving
“With a security fence surrounding the airport, it may seem like you need a special code to enter the world of aviation," Colin Riccobon, Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority public and government relations director, said.
"That’s simply not true. There are many different career paths — pilots, aircraft mechanics, fuelers, firefighters, police, administration, et cetera — and the Flying Classroom might just be the spark needed to create student interest.”
George, the 21st CCLC official, said, "We've been working with them after school and this is where it all starts."
George said he first met Irving at a conference.
"I've never been captivated by a speaker like this," he said. Sitting with the state chief of student services, George said once he got the green light to approach Irving, he went for it.
"We walked over to his booth, waited for him, and that was it," George said.
Irving said he recognized the level of interest right away.
"They were so passionate about their kids, who they serve and what they do and so forth, so we're very grateful for the collaboration with the Airport Authority today," he said.
"We want students to connect with resources in the community and see the possibilities beyond the classroom walls. There is a world of opportunity waiting for them, and it's available if you put in the work.
"Aviation & STEM fields can literally change a family or even a generation."
