By Andrea Hargraves 
The Rio Planetarium, associated with the Municipal Secretariat of Employment and Income and the largest in Latin America, celebrated on Monday (28/8) a cooperation agreement with the Municipal Secretariat of Science and Technology to carry out activities for the democratization of science, an act adopted at the main headquarters of the Planetarium, in Jávea , for the entire city of Rio de Janeiro. The initiative will be implemented through knowledge platforms, managed by SMCT and spread across the city. The astronomy courses that will be offered on board the ships will be hybrid in nature, with digital lessons and face-to-face lessons. The four-day training will include an in-person class in the Carl Sagan Dome, at the Planetarium headquarters. Ships of knowledge in Olympic City (Nilton Santos Stadium), Iraja, Madureira, Nova Brasilia (CPX do Alemão), Padre Miguel, Penha, Santa Cruz, Vila Alianca and Triagem will benefit from the course offer.
– We continue the goal of democratizing access to science, giving the opportunity to residents of the most vulnerable areas of Rio to learn about astronomy, to appreciate the universe that surrounds us with beauty and interesting subjects – explains Everton Gomez, Minister of Labor and Municipality Income Rio .
For Renan Uchili, president of the Planetary Foundation for the city of Rio de Janeiro, “Science is in universities, in research institutions, but it should also be in communities, including the poorest.”
– By partnering with SMCT, we will bring scientific knowledge to those who are thirsty for knowledge – emphasizes Occelli.
Municipal Secretary of Science and Technology, Tatiana Roque, highlights the importance of this partnership with the planetarium:
The aim of signing this important cooperation agreement is to spread science and technology throughout the city, including astronomy. We will not only confine the Rio Planetarium to Javea, but also expand it to the regions of the North and West, where the Gates of Knowledge are strategically located, thus expanding access to knowledge and benefiting all residents – says the secretary.