History

The Center is a combination of two areas of education; the Outdoor Learning Center and the Living Materials Center.

 

The Outdoor Learning Center...

...was headed by teacher and naturalist Sally Evans. Her leadership of the program began in 1977 when the first students and teachers began to use the site and trails of the 20 acre wooded area around Rowlett Creek for specialized environmental lessons. Students would arrive by school bus and unload in the field. At the time, there was no building, so all instruction was given in the midst of nature!

The Living Materials Center...

The Jim Dunlap 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."

"I found that you cannot teach if students do not listen. They will not listen unless you hold their attention. Animals hold their attention."                                                                                                                                                                     - Jim Dunlap

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 Plano Senior High School. In 1983, the class was relocated to four classrooms on the high school's second floor. By 1987, it was time to expand again...

 

Combining the programs

In 1987 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.

 

Mr. Dunlap

In December 2010 Jim Dunlap retired as the curator and Curriculum Specialist for the Living Materials Center. At that time, the Living Materials Center was rededicated as the Jim Dunlap Living Materials Center to honor his many years of service to the students of Plano ISD. Jim continued to volunteer regularly at the HSLC until his passing in 2016.

 

Ms. Evans

Ms. Evans went on to help develop a similar program for Richardson ISD in the early aughts. In her retirement Sally has continued to be an active contributor and organizing member in local environmental programs including the Blackland Prairie Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists, the Collin County Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary.