code Béluga

Espace pour la vie and Génome Québec are inviting the public to gain a better understanding of the state of biodiversity in the St. Lawrence Estuary by analyzing the environmental DNA contained in a simple water sample. At the heart of this project is the beluga whale, Quebec's emblematic sentinel species.

At the Biodôme, we invite you to take part in this unique experience through a series of captivating activities. You'll have the opportunity to discover the secrets of biodiversity by taking part in interactive and educational initiatives. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the beluga and help protect the precious ecosystem of the St. Lawrence Estuary.

Eco-transit (core)

Through this underwater research station, discover the analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) samples from species that inhabit the St. Lawrence Estuary, explore the challenges of this ecosystem and the beluga's food web, in the company of an animator.

This area includes the following elements:

• A scientific showcase presenting the four (4) main steps involved in eDNA analysis: extraction, amplification, sequencing and analysis.
• A giant porthole illustrating the St. Lawrence Estuary ecosystem and the beluga food web.
• An audio-visual presentation of essential elements of the Code Beluga project in sound and image.
• For the youngest visitors, an interactive 3D puzzle station, which allows them to experience and understand the DNA sequencing and analysis process.

Starting June 19 

Educational capsule

Gulf of St. Lawrence Lookout, flexible schedule

Explore the beluga food web through a giant puzzle on the Gulf of St. Lawrence lookout. This interactive activity, enriched with fascinating facts about the beluga, will raise your awareness of the threats to its habitat. Learn how you can help protect it.

The Mini-Laboratory

In this area accessible to the youngest visitors, plunge into the captivating world of marine micro-organisms thanks to our microscopes, images and videos. Get inspired before creating your own micro-organism!

Autumn | Welcome Kiosk

The atrium

Located at the start of your visit, this kiosk will introduce you to the Code Beluga theme. We invite you to take part in an exciting quest to find the Biodôme's environmental DNA!

Autumn | Quest

All ecosystems

Starting this fall, we invite you to take part in an exciting quest right from the start of your visit to the atrium kiosk. Your challenge will be to find twelve (12) DNA strands scattered throughout the Biodôme's ecosystems. These DNA strands will reveal surprising secrets about the Biodôme.

Community science

The public is invited to collect water samples containing  environmental DNA, following a protocol established by  Génome Québec and with support from the Biodôme  education team. Those samples will be analyzed at its  Centre d’expertise et de services, and the results will afterwards be available both for research purposes  and to the public

code Béluga, an initiative of Espace pour la vie and Génome Québec