WOUB Learning Lab hosted Daniel Tiger for a fun-filled day in Athens

By: Megan Acker
Posted on: Wednesday, June 18, 2025

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – There was a tiger loose in Athens.

Daniel Tiger of PBS Kids fame was at the Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery on June 7 for a special event hosted by the WOUB Learning Lab. PBS stations across the country host Be My Neighbor Day, and this year the Athens-based station sponsored the event.

Dozens of families quickly filled up the parking lot and filed into the museum for the free event. Kids got to engage with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) powered play areas, including an indoor climbing structure.

Downstairs, Daniel Tiger was waiting to take pictures with guests. Many kids donned Daniel Tiger masks they made at the craft station, and of course an episode of “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” was playing on the television for a group viewing experience. The scene was bustling with kids hard at work at the Kindness Card station, and tackling the Discovery Lab’s Micro:bit workshop, which teaches kids how to use coding software to animate gadgets.

Outside there was even more to do. The Crafty Art Bus was chock full of art supplies, next to a bookcase full of options for kids to take home. Families could snack on popcorn and sip lemonade while they meandered over to the Vision Van where Dana Gillum, a Realeyes technician, was giving pass-or-fail eye screenings. The organization has seen approximately 11,0000 kids throughout southeast Ohio to check their eye health and connect them to an optometrist. Realeyes uses events like these to continue its work during the summertime.

“Of course, they should see an eye doctor every year. But you know, I can let them know if it’s more urgent … especially before school starts,” said Gillum.

Attendees also got to sit down for a safety presentation with officer Evan Wilkof, who taught them different ways to be a good neighbor. Wilkof went over safe swimming practices, what to do in emergency situations, and encouraged kids to visit nursing homes. After, the police van was opened for kids to explore. As the public relations officer for the Ohio University Police Department, Wilkof says the event is important to bridging the gap between law enforcement and the rest of the community.

“Any opportunity we have to interact with, especially youth, in a positive way,” Wilkof said. “You know some folks have only a negative impression of police, or only see them when there’s an emergency. … So to be able to interact … on a positive note helps to reinforce that we are a trusted community partner.”

The community aspect is what’s most important to lead organizer Lisa Kinnard too.

“To do a Be My Neighbor Day seems like a great time to bring the community together and partner with organizations and kind of do a give back,” Kinnard said.

As to whether Daniel Tiger will be back, Kinnard wouldn’t confirm or deny, but she does anticipate WOUB hosting a similar event next year. The success of this year’s collaboration was evident.

“The excitement, you can just kind of feel it,” said Kinnard.

Families can learn more about the WOUB Learning Lab here, and can visit the Ohio Valley Discovery Museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.