Leah R. Cheek

Affiliation confirmed via AI analysis of OpenAlex, ORCID, and web sources.

Teacher Educator and STEAM Program Director

University of Arkansas

Faculty Researcher

1 h-index 5 pubs 9 cited

Research Areas

Links

ORCID Lab Website

OverviewAI-generated summary

Leah R. Cheek's research focuses on integrated STEM education, particularly in elementary settings. She investigates key practices and essential attributes for effective integrated STEM learning, including the role of tinkering and take-apart activities in the classroom. Her work also explores the connection between compassion and empathy in the integration of STEM and literacy. Cheek is also examining methods to strengthen mathematical self-efficacy in preservice elementary teachers.

Cheek is a Co-Principal Investigator on a federal grant from the NIH/National Institute of General Medical Sciences, totaling $249,026. This project focuses on STEAM education and training for underrepresented students and teachers in the Arkansas Delta. She collaborates with researchers at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, including Vinson Carter, Michael K. Daugherty, and Christian Z. Goering, with whom she has co-authored multiple publications. Cheek maintains an active lab website.

Metrics

h-index: 1
Publications: 5
Citations: 9

Selected Publications

Changing Attitudes: Strengthening Mathematical Self‐Efficacy in Preservice Elementary Teachers (2026)

School Science and Mathematics DOI OpenAlex
Key Practices in P-6 Integrated STEM Education: Delphi Panel Insights (2025)

The Teacher Educator 1 citation DOI OpenAlex
Essential Practices and Attributes of Integrated STEM in Elementary Education (2024)

Research in Integrated STEM Education 1 citation DOI OpenAlex