Assistant Professor of Elementary Education
Department of Curriculum and Teaching
Auburn University, AL 36849
(334) 844-6799
FAX (334) 844-6789
tripplo@auburn.edu

L. Octavia Tripp is an Assistant Professor in the College of Education and the Department of Curriculum and Teaching in Elementary Education.  Prior to joining the Auburn faculty, Dr. Tripp was project manager for NASA Urban and Rural Community Enrichment Program for K-8.  Dr. Tripp's teaching centers on developing motivated preservice teachers in the area of science.  She is committed to helping her science students understand the importance of using hands-on and minds-on activities in a way that all students can learn.  Her research interests focus on the following:

Promoting the Success of African American Students and Women in Science:  Reaching for the STARS, (Students, Touch, and Reach for the Sciences).

The Effects of Hands-On Workshops in Preservice Training on Teacher Preparedness, Subject Matter, and New Teaching Strategies in the Classroom.

Exploring Rural African American Elementary and Middle School Girls' Confidence and Knowledge in Science and Attitudes of Preservice Teachers who Teach Them:  A Multiple Methods Analysis.

Temperament-Learning styles and The Informed Matching of Cooperating Teachers and Interns In Student Teaching.

Experiences that Influence European American Pre-service Teachers' Perceptions about African Americans.

Ed.D.     Oklahoma State University, 1998.  Applied Educational Studies.

M.S.      Oklahoma State University, 1995.  Natural and Applied Science.

B.S.       Wesleyan College, 1980.  Middle Grades Education.

2002-Present.		Auburn University.
1999-2002.		Program Coordinator, NASA Urban and Rural Community Enrichment Program for K-8.  Washington, D.C.
1999-2001.		Adjunct Professor, Bowie State University.
		Presenter:  NASA Langley Research Center Preservice Institute, Hampton, VA.
1998-Present.		"True Colors" Associate and Facilitator.  Plan, organize and develop personality workshops for educators, parents and industry;  Corona, CA.
1991-1998.		Aerospace Education specialist, NASA's Aerospace Education Services Program;  Washington, D.C.;
		Presenter and Trainer:  NASA summer teacher workshop, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
1987-1991.		Instructor, Earth Science Grade Eight, Nash Middle School, Smyrna, GA
1986-1987.		Instructor, Life Science Grade Seven, Glendale Elementary School, Decatur, GA
1984-1986.		Instructor, General Science Grades Four and Five, Heard Mixon Elementary School, Covington, GA
1983-1984.		Instructor, Earth Science Grade Eight, Miller A. Middle School, Macon, GA
1980-1983.		Instructor, General Science Grades Five and Six, Springdale Elementary School, Macon, GA