Dr. Debra Lester is a self-proclaimed space junkie. Her brain is flooded with memories of watching launches both at the Cape (KSC) and also from her front yard in Central Florida. She remembers listening to the countdown... "T minus 10...ignition... main engine start..." then holding her breath for the words ‘lift off’ and anxiously awaiting the thunderous sonic boom. The current events of Space exploration reignited a passion for all things Solar System associated. In addition to being a STEM Coach for her school district, Dr. Lester helps teachers connect students' natural fascination of space with activities and lessons addressing North Carolina curriculum standards in Science, Math, ELA and Social Studies content areas.