Team STARS

Founding Board of Director and President of the organization, Diane Swan earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education followed by a Master of Science from Southern Connecticut State University. Her career as an educator began in Kissimmee, Florida Public Schools. Currently she is employed by East Lyme Public Schools, 1996 - present, as an early childhood educator. 

In addition to her teaching responsibilities at Niantic Center School, Diane serves as the building's science coordinator. Her collaboration with the East Lyme town engineer secured a grant for an Outdoor Stormwater Classroom. Since its inception, over 1000 third grade students from East Lyme and Salem have learned about storm water runoff and its impact on the environment. 

Diane taught a science summer camp, “Camp Phenomena,” for several years. Additionally, she worked for LEARN conducting a week-long science camp for the region's students. Diane produced and presented "Simple Science” after school activities for the Niantic Center School PTA. 

Diane is committed to community service and chaired the PTA's assembly, fundraising and beautification committees.  As a volunteer for the Miracle League of Southeastern Connecticut, a non-profit organization that provides opportunities for special needs children to participate in recreational, educational, and cultural activities, Diane assisted with fundraising for the organization's cause.

president@starstostem.org

Board of Director Leslie Brown recently retired as Associate Professor of Physics at Connecticut College after thirty years of service, having joined the college's faculty in 1992.

Leslie completed her Physics undergraduate studies at the University of Delaware and earned her Masters and Doctoral degrees from Brandeis University. While on staff at Connecticut College, Leslie shared her wealth of knowledge at regional and national professional meetings, including the New England Section of the American Physical Society, and the American Astronomical Society. She has also presented at numerous local venues on topics ranging from education and public outreach to active galaxies and cosmology. 

Leslie has been a recipient of several grant awards, co-author of several papers, still is teaching part-time and publishing with her students, and is adept at operating various telescopes and related technologies. She has extensive experience in the fields of astrophysics and astronomy and brings her love of the night sky, public outreach in science and education to our team.

education@starstostem.org 

Board of Director Dallas Capozza, a former Niantic resident, graduated from Colorado Mountain College with an Associate of Science degree in Engineering. She transferred to Colorado School of Mines where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 2018, she interned at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, where she worked on advanced exploration life support systems for Gateway. In 2019, as a Brooke Owens Fellow, she worked as an Engineering Operations Intern at Virgin Galactic where she helped to launch human commercial space flight  In 2020 she interned at Lockheed Martin where she remains today and continues her career.

Dallas works at Lockheed Martin as a Senior Software Engineer on the renowned Artemis Program. Artemis II flew the first crewed mission around the Moon on a 10-day historic test flight in April of 2026.  This was the first trip around the moon since Apollo 17. Eventually Artemis plans to send humans to Mars. 

Dallas continues her work on Orion, the Human Space Capsule. Her focus is on Environmental and Life Support Systems as well as the NASA Docking System. Dallas was initially inspired from the classes she took at the  planetarium at East Lyme High School. These experiences peaked her interest and strengthened her determination to reach for the stars.  Through the use of promotional videos, Dallas continues to share her enthusiasm with students at East Lyme High School as well as with anyone attending STARS to STEM presentations.  

Meera Rangwala is a junior at East Lyme High School. She founded the Astronomy Club in her school, which focuses on topical astronomical news and astrophotography. She regularly volunteers at the Olin Observatory at Connecticut College, where she teaches visitors about the Stellarium program. In her free time, she loves wondering at the mysteries of the cosmos and appreciating nature right back here on Earth. Along with her interest in astrophotography, she also loves taking pictures of the world around us. She has won numerous awards for her nature photography, such as the Lyme Land Trust Photo of Distinction Award in 2025. She leads campus tree tours at the Connecticut College Arboretum, and also interns with Pollinator Pathways, where she is experimenting with managing weeds with steam instead of toxic chemicals under the guidance of her high school chemistry teacher. At Stars to Stem, she works as the high school liaison, and enjoys every minute of it!