From Canada 150 to GSC 175, BIO Expo 2017 gives NRCAN plenty of reasons to celebrate

By Julie Root

The year 2017 has been a significant one for Canada. It’s Canada’s 150th anniversary, and every government department and agency has been looking back on the past 150 years, sharing their stories and celebrating their accomplishments with Canadians. Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is no exception. All year, scientists have been telling Canadians about the department’s contributions to exploration, marine geoscience and sustainable resource development — some of which were made decades before Canada was even a country.

The Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) turns 175

The GSC, part of NRCan, is celebrating 175 years exploring and studying Canada’s vast land and ocean resources. As Canada’s oldest scientific agency, the GSC has played a leading role in shaping this country from the ground up.

In the Atlantic region, GSC scientists work together with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and other government departments at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography (BIO), Canada’s national centre of excellence in ocean research located in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. GSC scientists at BIO focus on marine and coastal geology, petroleum geology, geophysics, geochemistry and geo-technology.

BIO hosts 23,000 visitors at BIOExpo 2017

In celebration of more than five decades of research into Canada’s ocean resources, BIO scientists showcased their work to thousands of curious visitors. The BIOExpo is held every five years and this was perhaps the biggest year yet with nearly 23,000 visitors touring more than 70 exhibits. Researchers showed students from local schools and the public that science is alive and well. Visitors waited in long lines to see science in action, demonstrations and participate in hands-on science activities. They learned about coastal erosion, Arctic science, what cell phones are made from and much more!

Over the past 175 years, Canadian scientists have countless stories to tell and, in many ways, their work is just beginning.