Contact Us

Jim Dunlap
Curator, Living Materials Center
(469) 752-1194
Jim.Dunlap@pisd.edu

Brett Taylor
Lead Teacher, Outdoor Learning Center
(469) 752-1192
Brett.Taylor@pisd.edu

Tammy Welch
Office Manager
(469) 752-1193
Tammy.Welch@pisd.edu

Beverly Lewis
Building Maintenance
(469) 752-1196

Ginger Britain
Assistant Director of Elementary Curriculum & Instruction
(469) 752-8167
Ginger.Britain@pisd.edu

History

The Outdoor Learning Center is a result of discussions held in 1975 between the Plano Independent School District and the City of Plano Parks and Recreation Department. Three Plano ISD personnel were instrumental in the conception of the center: Dr. H. Wayne Hendrick, Superintendent of Schools; Dr. Bill Holifield, Science Coordinator and later Asst. Superintendent of Curriculum; and Ernest Horany, Director of Personnel Evaluation and Staff Development. Their intent was to provide a nature study center for the school district. Once the district received the city's approval to develop the fifteen acre tract of preserved natural area, an advisory committee from Texas A&M University was put into action to work on plans and ideas. Several professional surveys were conducted by environmental experts to map out trails and identify the natural phenomena. Trails were hand cut taking care not to disrupt the natural environment as little as possible. Third grade students from Aldridge Elementary were the first to visit the center and explore these trails on September 20, 1977.

The Living Materials Center began as an experiment. In 1976, biologist Jim Dunlap was looking for a way to interest his high school students in biology. "I found that you cannot teach if students do not listen. They will not listen unless you hold their attention. Animals hold their attention."

The popularity of his class grew so steadily, he had to relocate the class to bigger quarters every few years. In 1979, they moved to the basement of the Plano Senior High School. In 1983, the class was relocated to four classrooms on the high school's second floor. Four years later, it was time to expand again. This time a bond proposal was passed to cover the construction of the center and create a home base for both the Living Materials Center and the Outdoor Learning Center as they exist today. The building was completed in 1989 and dedicated as the Bill Holifield Science Learning Center in 1991.

Outdoor Learning Center

The Outdoor Learning Center, under the direction of lead teacher Brett Taylor, is an interpretive, hands-on educational facility consisting of an indoor auditorium, a laboratory classroom, and nature trails. The trail system is located on a 15-acre wooded area on Rowlett Creek adjacent to Bob Woodruff Park. The land is provided by the City of Plano through a cooperative agreement with the city's Parks and Recreation Department. Field based trail lessons and indoor laboratory activities are provided by HSLC teaching staff and trained volunteers. This program is an integral part of students' educational experiences in science education, environmental education, and integrated learning activities.