With a little bit of knowledge and a lot of imagination, Earth Sciences Professor Francine McCarthy plans to help curious minds uncover the geologic past of the Brock campus.

During an hourlong guided walking tour of the University property, held as part of Science Literacy Week, McCarthy will provide insight into the geology of the landscape.

She will detail major moments of the past and attempt to paint a picture for participants of what they would have looked like.

The tour, held Tuesday, Sept. 19, will begin with the area’s river delta from 450 million years ago, moving on to the reef that existed 25 million years later. McCarthy will then guide participants through what was once an ice age forest tundra about 15,000 years ago.

Included will be the many display cases found on campus that reflect the various time periods.

Science Literacy Week, a national celebration meant to encourage libraries to bring their science collections out into the spotlight, runs from Sept. 18 to 24. With support from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, about 700 events are set to take place across Canada throughout the week.

This year, the James A. Gibson and Map, Data and GIS libraries have partnered with the Faculty of Mathematics and Science to bring science literacy-based events to Brock.

In addition to the walking tour, the Brock community is invited to explore a corresponding interactive geographic information system map. Created by GIS specialist Sharon Janzen and Earth Sciences Senior Lab Coordinator/Instructor Astride Silis, the digital map includes photos and clickable markers that offer more information about key sites across campus.

A new display in the James A. Gibson Library will also be part of the programming, featuring fossils that represent three time periods — the Ordovician, Silurian and Quaternary — and books and rocks provided by the Earth Sciences department.

Campus Rock Tour

When: Tuesday, Sept. 19, from 5 to 6 p.m (arrive early)

Where: Meet in the James A. Gibson Library, Matheson Learning Commons

Admission: Free

Note: Wear appropriate clothing and footwear as the tour will run rain or shine

For more information, contact Ian Gordon at igordon@brocku.ca or ext. 3727.

To learn more about Science Literacy Week, visit scienceliteracy.ca.