Leander ISD proudly celebrated the grand opening of the Lippe Instructional Materials Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony last month. The new facility honors Linda Lippe, a dedicated educator whose vision and commitment to hands-on learning helped shape science instruction for generations of students.
Lippe, who served the district for 31 years and started the Science Materials Center, recognized early on the power of experiential learning.
She introduced and pursued the idea of creating ready-made science kits for all of the district’s elementary school classrooms. The kits provide students with hands-on learning and ensure that all students, regardless of campus or teacher, have access to the same quality science education and learning opportunities.
“[Her] vision brought us here today and seeing [her] name on the building reminds us all that Science Matters! [Her] vision for creating hands-on science has touched thousands of students as well as teachers for over 18 years and still counting,” said Brenda Howard, Lippe Instructional Materials Center senior specialist.
Funded by the 2023 Bond, the new Lippe Instructional Materials Center will carry forward and expand that legacy. In addition to continuing to provide science kits for elementary classrooms, the center will now extend support to middle and high schools, offering a wider range of instructional resources. The team plans to add support for English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics soon.
Located next to the Geiger Compass Center on the northwest corner of Lakeline Blvd. and New Hope Dr. in Cedar Park, the building will also create the opportunity for students in the 18+ Transition Services program and high school Vocational Training programs to build science kits alongside staff at the Lippe Instructional Materials Center.
“The best part is being able to have more than one group of these students at a time because now we have the space,” Howard said.
When the program started, it was housed in a portable building. Now, the team has 30,000 square feet.
Lippe said she’s forever thankful and humbled by the honor of having her name on the building.
“I can hardly believe that the system we created over the years, a system that has continued and advanced beyond my years, has resulted in such a fabulous facility,” she said.“It took openness, commitment, expertise, patience, sacrifice, dedication, knowledge and just good old blood, sweat, and tears to accomplish what we have. We never have wavered from our goal of providing the very best opportunities for all LISD students through a system that supports and nurtures love and joy in learning.”
