Lee Powell:  

Life Let's see, where to start? After high school, I was off to college. I had about 12 majors along the way towards my undergrad degree. I ended up majoring in physics AND English. I minored in astronomy. While I was an undergrad I taught astronomy day and night labs for the university and worked as a research assistant at the observatory, which hooked me as an astronomer and as a teacher. After my 6 years of undergrad (I was having too much fun to be in a hurry!), I went on to grad school. I earned a masters degree in physics. My thesis topic involved measuring the ages and distances of star clusters.(Nerd) All through undergrad and grad school I stuck with music. I played sax and did vocals in a blues band as an undergrad, and started doing the folk music/open mic night thing in grad school. I still play the guitar and sing whenever I can. In 1998, I took a job when it lured me away from more graduate work in astronomy and oceanography. I accepted a teaching position at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts. LSMSA is a state-funded honors high school that draws 400 juniors and seniors from across the state to live in dorms and take classes like differential equations and astrophysics. I was the head of the science department for three years, in addition to being a prof. The staff and kids were great! I got married while I was at LSMSA, and we have two children: William Conor (born 2002), and Delaney Grace (born 2004). Cono...Expand for more