Expertise
Director of UTeach Program advancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) teacher preparation, mentorship, and instructional excellence.
Research Interests
- STEM Teacher Preparation and Development
- Inquiry-Based Teaching and Learning
- Reflective Practice and Teacher Growth
- Scientific Literacy and Nature of Science
Education
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.): Science Education, University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Postgraduate Certification of Education (PGCE): Secondary Science, University of Sussex, England, United Kingdom
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): Chemistry, University of Sussex - Brighton, England, United Kingdom
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) (Honors): Biology and Chemistry, University of , England, United Kingdom
Biosketch
Sumudu Lewis is a Clinical Professor and Director of the UTeach STEM Teacher Preparation Program at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Her work focuses on preparing future mathematics and science teachers through inquiry-based instruction, reflective practice, and field-based learning experiences.
Lewis earned her first doctoral degree in Chemistry from the University of Sussex, England, followed by postdoctoral research at the University of Bangor in North Wales, United Kingdom. She subsequently qualified as a secondary science teacher and spent ten years working in schools across London, serving as a science teacher, department chair, and assistant principal.
Lewis joined the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 2009 and joined the newly established UTeach program as a Master Teacher and later became Director of the program in 2012.
Her teaching and scholarship focus on STEM teacher preparation, inquiry-based teaching, scientific literacy, reflective practice, equity in STEM education, and the development of observation and feedback systems that support teacher growth. She is also interested in the ethical and effective integration of artificial intelligence in teacher education and professional learning.
Selected Awards and Honors
- Manning Prize for Teaching Excellence 2026
- Service to USEA (UTeach STEM Educator Association) Executive Board.
recognition of service award (2023) - School of Education Department Recognition in Excellence in Teaching Award 2022
Selected Publications
- Chandra, K., & Lewis, S., & Tripathy, S. T., Sahila, N (2024, June), Building Research, Teamwork and Professional Skills in an Engineering Summer Bridge Program: Reflections Towards an Allyship Model. Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon
- Chandra, K., & Lewis, S., & Tripathy, S. T. (2023, June), Engaging Future Engineers through Active Participation in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Paper presented at 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Baltimore , Maryland.
- E. Deterding, N. Agyeman, S. Tripathy, C. Keough, S. Lewis and K. Chandra, Inclusive Teamwork: Using Participatory Action Research (PAR) to Improve Teamwork Projects in Mechanical Engineering, Proc. ASEE NE Conf., 2022.
- Panasuk, R., & Lewis, S. R (2012). Constructivism: Constructing Meaning or Making Sense? International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 2(20), 1-11.
- Lewis, S. R (2010). Investigating the Scientific Method. Annual Colloquium Journal on Educational Research and Practice XV. An Official Publication of the Graduate School of Education UMass Lowell
Selected Presentations
- 2025 (March) Presenter – Global Teacher Educator Mentor Presentation. Title – Infusing Global Education in STEM Teacher Preparation Programs. Virtual.
- 2024 (March) Presenter – National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Webinar: Presenting the Goal and Mission of the UTeach Program and opportunities for faculty research opportunities in K-12 STEM Education.
- 2024 (Jan 11) Presenter – Association of Science Teacher Education (ASTE) Conference. New Orleans. Section: How is our ASTE Community Working to Address Equity?’ Title - Meeting the Equity Issues In Preparing STEM Teachers.
- 2023 (June 14) Presenter – UTeach STEM Educator Association (USEA) Annual Conference, Austin, Texas. Title - Course Overview: Project-Based Instruction.
- 2022 (October 26) Presenter – Massachusetts Science Education Leadership Association (MSELA), Marlborough, Massachusetts. Title - Scientific Literacy and the Nature of Science.
- 2019 (October 12) Presenter - New England Association of Science Teacher Education (NE-ASTE), Burlington, Vermont. Title: Novel Approaches to Recruitment in an Inclusive STEM Teacher Preparation Program.
- 2014 (May) Presenter – UTeach STEM Educator Association (USEA) Annual Conference, Austin, Texas. Title: Verizon Grant Lesson Planning and Implementation. This was part of the research grant received for immersion of technology in the classroom.
Selected Contracts, Fellowships, Grants and Sponsored Research
Global Teacher Education Fellow. Instruction Award by Global Teacher Education Fellows Program sponsored by the Longview Foundation. (2018)
2013 -2016 Verizon Grant ($66,550 + 30 Android Tablets ) - Infusing Mobile Technology into Middle School Classrooms. A collaborative grant with UTeach Institute, Austin Texas to investigate.