Pará Science Center and Planetarium participates in the 23rd National Museum Week

The Pará Science Center and Planetarium (CCPPA) is one of the institutions participating in the 23rd National Museum Week, which in 2025 has the theme: "The future of museums in rapidly transforming communities." The CCPPA programming will be free, from the 14th to the 17th (Wednesday to Saturday), and includes dome sessions, visits to the Science Center, an exhibition in partnership with the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, the launch of the VIII Science and Art Contest, storytelling, and the opening of the project "Astrociência: Girls in Sciences in Pará."

The National Museum Week is an annual initiative promoted by the Brazilian Institute of Museums (Ibram), in celebration of International Museum Day, celebrated on May 18, to value Brazilian museums and strengthen their connection with society. According to the director of CCPPA, Professor José Roberto Silva, participation in the event is already a tradition. "It is with great satisfaction that we organize our programming to be part of the National Museum Week, as we promote the integration of such activities with the Pará society, involving Astronomy and sciences," he emphasizes.

According to the pedagogue of CCPPA, Alice Sousa, the inclusion of the Planetarium in the National Museum Week strengthens the museum network, increases its visibility, and promotes local community engagement with science. "CCPPA, as a science and technology museum, plays an important role in education, innovation, and knowledge preservation in a constantly evolving world," she highlights.

At the Pará Planetarium, activities will begin at 9:30 AM this Wednesday, the 14th, with an opening table, followed by the launch of the VIII Science and Art Contest – Astrophotography modality, and a dome session at 11 AM. Starting at 3 PM on the 14th, there will be a dome session, open visits to the Science Center, and storytelling aimed at children, in the CCPPA's playroom, with the participation of Ludimila Maia.

According to Alice Sousa, the storytelling activity was designed to integrate young children into the universe of the Pará Planetarium in a playful and accessible way. "Recognizing the importance of specific activities for this age group, the planning of the storytelling aimed to directly serve the child audience, which frequently visits CCPPA," she states.

Alice explains that storytelling for early childhood represents a highly significant activity for child development. "In this playful environment, narratives awaken children's imagination and creativity, while enriching their vocabulary and enhancing their communication skills. Additionally, exposure to different themes and characters promotes empathy and aids in understanding the world around them."

Programming

The highlight of the programming on Thursday, the 15th, is the opening of the extension project "Astrociência: Girls in Sciences in Pará," which will take place at 2:30 PM. Aimed at students enrolled in regular public and private schools - from the 9th grade of Elementary School to the 2nd year of High School - the initiative seeks to encourage participation in activities, including research, in different areas of science.

According to the project coordinator, Professor Vânia Lobo, Astrociência will provide the experience of interactive experiences and workshops that inspire and awaken vocations. "The project promotes a space for discoveries, learning, and possibilities, expanding future opportunities for girls to explore, learn, and develop in sciences," she states.

During the National Museum Week, schools with scheduled visits to CCPPA will have the opportunity to participate in workshops such as "Living Soil: investigating soil acidity," "Electrochemistry in action: the contribution to sustainability and environmental preservation," and a sky observation workshop, held in the Kwarahy dome. On Saturday, the 17th, there will be free public visitation from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM, with a dome session, access to the Science Center, and storytelling for children, with Ludimila Maia.

Partnership

From Saturday, the 17th, until June 28, the public will also be able to check out the exhibition "Sowing Life: how seed dispersal occurs in the Amazon" at CCPPA, a joint initiative between the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi and the Pará Science Center and Planetarium. The initiative proposes a sensitive and scientific look at seed-dispersing animals - such as agoutis, tapirs, birds, and fish - fundamental agents in the regeneration of forests and the maintenance of Amazonian biodiversity.

"These 'gardeners of the forest' are presented as invisible allies in the reconstruction of ecosystems and as inspiration for sustainable practices. The exhibition invites the public, especially young people, to understand the cycles of nature and the importance of interdependence between species, knowledge, and territories, encouraging the protagonism of new generations in building more conscious and resilient futures," states the coordinator of Museology at the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Emanoel Fernandes Junior.

In Emanoel's view, the partnership between Goeldi and the Planetarium stands out for the convergence of science, education, and environmental awareness. "The idea is to initiate, from this action, an inter-institutional dialogue aimed at building joint projects in the field of scientific dissemination. The opening of the exhibition 'Sowing Life: how seed dispersal occurs in the Amazon' reflects the relevance of this collaboration, uniting efforts between two scientific institutions in promoting ecological knowledge at a time of rapid socio-environmental transformations."

The director of CCPPA, José Roberto Silva, acknowledged the importance of the initiative involving the two institutions. "It is with immense satisfaction that we develop this partnership with the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, which enhances the institutional role of the State University of Pará with this important center for scientific dissemination, in order to raise awareness among the public that will be present at the exhibition, which discusses important environmental issues and promotes ecological knowledge in an accessible and interactive way."