Bob McDonald (journalist)

Bob McDonald (journalist)

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 News Network (formerly 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.

In 1972, with no formal academic training, 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.

McDonald 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. He has 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.

In 2010, McDonald was initiated as an honorary life member of the Sigma Xi honor society.

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."