Kaput Center for Research & Innovation in STEM Education

05/07/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Melissa Cieto 🎉on the successful defense of your dissertation on May 6, 2026.

This is a remarkable achievement and a reflection of your dedication, perseverance, and scholarly contribution. It was truly a joy to celebrate this special milestone with you. Wishing you continued success and fulfillment in this next chapter of your academic and professional journey.

04/09/2026

UMass Dartmouth Gives is here🎉

Today is UMass GIVES Challenge!

Please consider donating to the Kaput Center for Research & Innovation in STEM Education to support programs that promote STEM education and outreach. Your contributions help fund community projects, research initiatives, and educational opportunities that make a lasting impact.

Your Donations Support:

-STEM4Girls Day – Hands-on STEM activities for girls in grades 3–8, designed to spark curiosity and inspire long-term interest in STEM fields.

-Expanded STEM4Girls Community Outreach – Extending STEM4Girls beyond a single event into sustained engagement with local communities, schools, and families. Your donations help us bring hands-on STEM learning directly to underserved communities and ensure that this impactful program continues to grow and reach more girls each year.

-Paid Internships – Funding for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students interested in STEM education.

-Interdisciplinary Colloquium Series – Inviting leading researchers and experts to share insights with the UMass Dartmouth community.

-Foundational Research & Development – Advancing innovative STEM teaching methods, materials, and strategies.

-Commissioned Reports – Supporting research-based reports for educators, policymakers, and researchers.

-Educational Outreach – Organizing STEM programs, workshops, and activities for learners of all ages.

-Think Tank Meetings – Bringing together experts and stakeholders to improve STEM education practices.

✨ Why Your Support Matters
Your donation helps sustain and expand programs like STEM4Girls, ensuring that more young learners—especially girls—have access to meaningful, hands-on STEM experiences that can shape their future. Thank you 😊

Use this link to donate:

Join me and support your favorite area at UMass Dartmouth through a gift to UMassD Gives today!

04/02/2026

The UMass GIVES Challenge is happening on Thursday, April 9th 2026, and giving is open now through April 13th. Please consider donating to the Kaput Center for Research & Innovation in STEM Education to support programs that promote STEM education and outreach. Your contributions help fund community projects, research initiatives, and educational opportunities that make a lasting impact.

Your Donations Support:

-STEM4Girls Day – Hands-on STEM activities for girls in grades 3–8, designed to spark curiosity and inspire long-term interest in STEM fields.

-Expanded STEM4Girls Community Outreach – Extending STEM4Girls beyond a single event into sustained engagement with local communities, schools, and families. Your donations help us bring hands-on STEM learning directly to underserved communities and ensure that this impactful program continues to grow and reach more girls each year.

-Paid Internships – Funding for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students interested in STEM education.

-Interdisciplinary Colloquium Series – Inviting leading researchers and experts to share insights with the UMass Dartmouth community.

-Foundational Research & Development – Advancing innovative STEM teaching methods, materials, and strategies.

-Commissioned Reports – Supporting research-based reports for educators, policymakers, and researchers.

-Educational Outreach – Organizing STEM programs, workshops, and activities for learners of all ages.

-Think Tank Meetings – Bringing together experts and stakeholders to improve STEM education practices.

✨ Why Your Support Matters
Your donation helps sustain and expand programs like STEM4Girls, ensuring that more young learners—especially girls—have access to meaningful, hands-on STEM experiences that can shape their future. Thank you 😊

Use this link to donate: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/UniversityofMassachusettsDartmouth/umassd-gives-2026/pages/programs-campus-areas/kaput-center

03/13/2026

Celebrating Research Impact and Community Engagement

The UMass Dartmouth Faculty Scholarship Celebration reminds us of the vibrant research community that continues to grow through collaboration and innovation.

The Kaput Center for Research and Innovation in STEM Education is also featured in the university’s Annual Research Report, including the impactful STEM4Girls Day—an initiative that introduces hundreds of young learners to opportunities in STEM.

Programs like these reflect the powerful connection between research, education, and community engagement, inspiring the next generation of learners and scholars.
You can read more about this work in the UMass Dartmouth Annual Research Report (see page 17) here:

https://issuu.com/umdpublications/docs/umass_dartmouth_annual_research_report_fy25

It is encouraging to see the continued impact of research and outreach that expands access and participation in STEM fields.

Photo: Dr. Shakh-Noza Kayumova and Dr. Stephen Witzig at the Scholarship Celebration event 🎉

03/12/2026

Recognizing Scholarship in the Media🎉

Congratulations to Dr. Stephen Witzig for receiving the Scholarship in the Media Award at the UMass Dartmouth Faculty Scholarship Celebration.

This award recognizes the important role of sharing scholarly work with broader audiences and highlights how research can inform public conversations and reach communities beyond the academy.

We are proud to celebrate this achievement and the impact that thoughtful and accessible scholarship can have on society.

Congratulations, Dr. Witzig on this important recognition.

03/12/2026

Celebrating Outstanding Scholarship at UMass Dartmouth

Congratulations to Dr. Shakh-Noza Kayumova for being recognized as one of the Top 10 Grant Recipients of 2025 at the recent UMass Dartmouth Faculty Scholarship Celebration.

This recognition highlights Dr. Kayumova’s impactful work and leadership in advancing STEM education research. Her scholarship continues to contribute meaningful insights that shape both research and practice in education.

It is inspiring to see scholars whose work not only advances knowledge but also strengthens our academic research culture.

Congratulations again, Dr. Kayumova, on this well-deserved recognition.

12/04/2025

🎉 Celebrating Excellence in STEM Education Research 🎉

We are delighted to share that Professor Shakhnoza Kayumova, Director of the Kaput Center for Research & Innovation in STEM Education has been awarded Scholar of the Year ⭐ at the Annual UMass Dartmouth Faculty Federation Awards Banquet held on December 3, 2025.

We celebrate this meaningful achievement with pride and gratitude.

We also extend heartfelt congratulations to our UMass Dartmouth colleagues:

🏅 Jamie Jacquart – Bruce Sparfven ESU Service Award
🏅 Crystal Lubinsky – Leo M. Sullivan Teacher of the Year Award

Please join us in applauding Dr. Kayumova and all awardees for their continued dedication to teaching, research, and service. Their work reflects the very best of our academic community. 💙💛 .

12/02/2025

Today is Giving Tuesday, and we’re grateful for everyone who supports meaningful STEM education and research. Your generosity helps us continue to create opportunities for students, teachers, and communities through innovative STEM programs, partnerships, and initiatives.

💙 Donations are being accepted all week — not just today.
Every gift, no matter the size, supports the work we do.

➡️ Donate here: umassd.edu/give

How to direct your gift to the Kaput Center:
Click umassd.edu/give

Find “Designation”

Scroll to Programs & Campus Areas

Scroll down to Kaput Center

Click the PLUS (+) sign to direct your donation to us

Thank you for helping us empower learners and expand access to STEM education.

Join me and make a gift to University of Massachusetts Dartmouth this Season of Giving!

10/29/2025

10/24/2025

🚀 Upcoming Workshop at UMass Dartmouth!

Join us for a Research to Practice Seminar Series hosted by Kaput Center for Research & Innovation in STEM Education

📚 Enhancing Teaching with Technology: Designing Impactful Canvas Pages and Productive Pedagogies
🗓 Wednesday, November 12 | 2–3 PM
📍 Grove PDR, UMass Dartmouth

Facilitator: Dr. Christopher Clinton

This hands-on session explores practical, ethical, and design-oriented strategies for using AI-supported tools in Canvas to strengthen course organization, communication, and accessibility.

💻 Pre-registration link: https://forms.gle/33d7rxRx4uPJjJuh7
🟢 Walk-ins are welcome!
This is a FREE Workshop

Bring your syllabus and experiment during the session, learn to create clear, inclusive, and engaging Canvas pages that align with your teaching goals.