Russell Park Child Development Center

Davis' Outdoor Classroom and Learning Garden encompasses an entire playground space for students to explore the outdoors through play-based learning. Started in 2015 from a small project of growing watermelon in an old swimming pool turned garden bed, our program has been growing ever since.

We pride ourselves in working with community partners to build a strong and resilient garden program that provides an exceptional learning experience for the youngest of explorers.In 2016, we partnered with Growing Oshkosh to build five hexagon shaped raised beds to expand our garden efforts.

Davis has been building its STEM and Cooking programs since the fall of 2017. We began with short 20-30 minute science lessons in the Creeper, Scooter, Wiggler, Trooper, Hopper, Sparkler, Snapper, and Ranger rooms one time each week.

What began as simple exploratory lessons has grown into a diverse curriculum where students explore different scientific disciplines such as biology, ecology, chemistry, and physics, learn how to be thinkers and engineers, practice their mathematical skills, and engage in sensory play.

Thank you MToxins Venom Lab! Our School Age Classroom had a great time exploring the animals and seeing a venom extraction. Everyone on the younger end enjoyed exploring lemons, oobleck, and the easy chemical reaction of lemon juice (acid) with baking soda (base) for STEM today! The Hoppers, Snappers, Sparklers, and Rangers all enjoyed learning about soil and checking up on their garden today.