Bob McDonald
Encyclopedia
Bob McDonald OC
(born January 25, 1951) is a Canadian author and science journalist. He is the National Science
Commentator for CBC Television
and CBC Newsworld, and since 1992 has been the host of a weekly radio science show, Quirks & Quarks which draws approximately half a million listeners each week.
McDonald's academic background includes theater, English, and philosophy. In 1972 he began his science communication career as a demonstrator at the Ontario Science Centre
, and eventually traveled to California to watch the live action of NASA's first space probes. Upon returning to Canada, he was in great demand to talk about the missions and eventually became the regular science correspondent for a number of shows.
From 1986 to 1992 he was the host and one of the producers of Wonderstruck
, a Gemini Award
nominated science program for children. Over the years he has hosted a variety of other science or technology themed specials and documentaries, including the special The Greatest Canadian Invention
. On September 8, 2005, McDonald premiered a new three season 39 part series on TVOntario
called Heads Up!
, which he both writes and hosts. Heads Up! was nominated for Gemini awards for best children's TV program and best writing for a children's TV program in August 2006, and best writing for a children's or youth program or series and best host in a preschool, children's or youth program or series in August 2008. He was awarded the Gemini for best host in a preschool, children's or youth program or series in October 2008. Bob has written a number of books including Wonderstruck, Wonderstruck II and Measuring the Earth with a Stick: Science as I've Seen It, which was short-listed for the Canadian Science Writers Association book award.
Bob has received numerous honors for his contributions to the public awareness of science. He received the 2001 Michael Smith Award for Science Promotion, from NSERC, the 2002 Sandford Fleming Medal from the Royal Canadian Institute
, and the 2005 McNeil Medal for the Public Awareness of Science from the Royal Society of Canada
completing the "triple crown" of awards for science communication in Canada. Bob has also been honoured for his work by the University of Guelph
, Laurentian University
in Sudbury, Carleton University
in Ottawa, McMaster University
, the University of Calgary
and the University of Winnipeg
which each granted him honorary doctorates. McDonald was granted an Honorary Diploma in Environment, Media and Technology Studies from Niagara College
on June 16, 2011 and an honorary diploma from Loyalist College
on June 10, 2011.
On November 13 2010, Bob was initiated as an honorary life member of Sigma Xi
, the most prestigious scientific research society in the United States, which was founded in 1886, and membership is by invitation only. Previous honorary inductees have included some of the best known science writers in America, as well as Al Gore. Bob was the first Canadian to receive this honor.
McDonald was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada
on June 30, 2011 "for his contributions, as a journalist and educator, to the public understanding of science."
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(born January 25, 1951) is a Canadian author and science journalist. He is the National Science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
Commentator for CBC Television
CBC Television
CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
and CBC Newsworld, and since 1992 has been the host of a weekly radio science show, Quirks & Quarks which draws approximately half a million listeners each week.
McDonald's academic background includes theater, English, and philosophy. In 1972 he began his science communication career as a demonstrator at the Ontario Science Centre
Ontario Science Centre
Ontario Science Centre is a science museum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, near the Don Valley Parkway about northeast of downtown on Don Mills Road just south of Eglinton Avenue East...
, and eventually traveled to California to watch the live action of NASA's first space probes. Upon returning to Canada, he was in great demand to talk about the missions and eventually became the regular science correspondent for a number of shows.
From 1986 to 1992 he was the host and one of the producers of Wonderstruck
Wonderstruck
Wonderstruck is a Canadian educational television series which taught science to children, that aired on the CBC between 1986 and 1992. It was hosted by Bob McDonald. Every episode began with McDonald saying I'm curious about things. Why they are the way they are, and why they're not something...
, a Gemini Award
Gemini Award
The Gemini Awards are annual television broadcasting industry awards in Canada.First awarded in 1986, the Geminis celebrate the achievements of TV members of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. Essentially, it presents awards for the best television productions in Canada. Awards are...
nominated science program for children. Over the years he has hosted a variety of other science or technology themed specials and documentaries, including the special The Greatest Canadian Invention
The Greatest Canadian Invention
The Greatest Canadian Invention is a television mini-series originally aired on CBC Television. It is a spiritual sequel to The Greatest Canadian....
. On September 8, 2005, McDonald premiered a new three season 39 part series on TVOntario
TVOntario
TVOntario, often referred to only as TVO , is a publicly funded, educational English-language television station and media organization in the Canadian province of Ontario. It is operated by the Ontario Educational Communications Authority, a Crown corporation owned by the Government of Ontario...
called Heads Up!
Heads Up! (TV series)
Heads Up! is an educational television show which is produced and broadcast by TVOntario. The host is Bob McDonald, who is better known as the host of the weekly radio show Quirks & Quarks.Heads Up! premiered on TVO on September 8, 2005....
, which he both writes and hosts. Heads Up! was nominated for Gemini awards for best children's TV program and best writing for a children's TV program in August 2006, and best writing for a children's or youth program or series and best host in a preschool, children's or youth program or series in August 2008. He was awarded the Gemini for best host in a preschool, children's or youth program or series in October 2008. Bob has written a number of books including Wonderstruck, Wonderstruck II and Measuring the Earth with a Stick: Science as I've Seen It, which was short-listed for the Canadian Science Writers Association book award.
Bob has received numerous honors for his contributions to the public awareness of science. He received the 2001 Michael Smith Award for Science Promotion, from NSERC, the 2002 Sandford Fleming Medal from the Royal Canadian Institute
Royal Canadian Institute
The Royal Canadian Institute, or RCI, is an organization dedicated to the advancement of science.First formed in 1849 by Sir Sandford Fleming, it was originally conceived of as an organization for engineers and surveyors, but quickly became more general in its scientific interests. Incorporated in...
, and the 2005 McNeil Medal for the Public Awareness of Science from the Royal Society of Canada
Royal Society of Canada
The Royal Society of Canada , may also operate under the more descriptive name RSC: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada , is the oldest association of scientists and scholars in Canada...
completing the "triple crown" of awards for science communication in Canada. Bob has also been honoured for his work by the University of Guelph
University of Guelph
The University of Guelph, also known as U of G, is a comprehensive public research university in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. It was established in 1964 after the amalgamation of Ontario Agricultural College, the Macdonald Institute, and the Ontario Veterinary College...
, Laurentian University
Laurentian University
Laurentian University , was incorporated on March 28, 1960, is a mid-sized bilingual university in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada....
in Sudbury, Carleton University
Carleton University
Carleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
in Ottawa, McMaster University
McMaster University
McMaster University is a public research university whose main campus is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on of land in the residential neighbourhood of Westdale, adjacent to Hamilton's Royal Botanical Gardens...
, the University of Calgary
University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is a public research university located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1966 the U of C is composed of 14 faculties and more than 85 research institutes and centres.More than 25,000 undergraduate and 5,500 graduate students are currently...
and the University of Winnipeg
University of Winnipeg
The University of Winnipeg is a public university in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada that offers undergraduate faculties of art, business and economics, education, science and theology as well as graduate programs. The U of W's founding colleges were Manitoba College and Wesley College, which merged...
which each granted him honorary doctorates. McDonald was granted an Honorary Diploma in Environment, Media and Technology Studies from Niagara College
Niagara College
Niagara College is a College of Applied Arts and Technology within the Niagara Region of Southern Ontario. The College has four campuses: the Welland Campus in Welland, the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Maid of the Mist Campus in Niagara Falls, home of the Tourism Industry...
on June 16, 2011 and an honorary diploma from Loyalist College
Loyalist College
Loyalist College is an English-language community college in Belleville, Ontario, Canada.- History :...
on June 10, 2011.
On November 13 2010, Bob was initiated as an honorary life member of Sigma Xi
Sigma Xi
Sigma Xi: The Scientific Research Society is a non-profit honor society which was founded in 1886 at Cornell University by a junior faculty member and a handful of graduate students. Members elect others on the basis of their research achievements or potential...
, the most prestigious scientific research society in the United States, which was founded in 1886, and membership is by invitation only. Previous honorary inductees have included some of the best known science writers in America, as well as Al Gore. Bob was the first Canadian to receive this honor.
McDonald was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
on June 30, 2011 "for his contributions, as a journalist and educator, to the public understanding of science."