CDCC - Centro de Divulgação Científica e Cultural

What CDCC - Centro de Divulgação Científica e Cultural does

CDCC - Centro de Divulgação Científica e Cultural is a public science communication and cultural extension center of the Institute of Physics and Chemistry (IFSC) at the Universidade de São Paulo (USP), located in São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil. Founded in 1980 and housed in a Condephaat-listed historic building originally inaugurated in 1908, the center delivers free programming to the general public, K-12 schools, teachers, university students, and the regional community. Its core offerings include the Cineclube (a film club operating since 1981), the Observatório Dietrich Schiel (astronomical observatory with telescopes and the newly inaugurated Teatro Virtual de Imersão/Planetarium), permanent and itinerant science exhibitions, the Experimentoteca (a lending library of experimental materials such as molecular models and electrolysis cells), the Espaço CDCC Maker (equipped with 3D printers, lathes, and milling machines), mathematics help services, a preparatory course (cursinho), workshops, teacher training conferences, and digital publications including the Atlas Sanca.

The underlying technology is predominantly physical and content-based rather than software-driven: observatory optics, immersive projection in the TVI, hands-on experimental kits, and digital channels for online doubt-clearing and downloadable publications. Distribution is centered on direct in-person engagement at its two São Carlos sites (the main building at Rua Nove de Julho and the observatory on USP Campus Área 1) with limited regional reach through itinerant exhibitions. The business model is non-commercial: CDCC operates as a public university extension unit funded through USP and Brazilian government sources, with all activities offered free of charge and no paying customers, equity investors, or pricing tiers. Marketing and demand generation rely on the official website, Facebook, Instagram, USP institutional communications, and school/teacher referral networks.

Name

CDCC - Centro de Divulgação Científica e Cultural

Legal name

Centro de Divulgação Científica e Cultural - Universidade de São Paulo

Website

https://cdcc.usp.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

CDCC is a public science communication center of the University of São Paulo in São Carlos, Brazil, offering free astronomy, science exhibitions, maker, and cultural programming to the general public, K-12 schools, and educators since 1980.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

São Carlos

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government/University Funding: CDCC is a public cultural and scientific dissemination center funded by the University of São Paulo (USP) and Brazilian government sources. All activities are offered free of charge to the public.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CDCC is a public science communication and cultural dissemination center operated by the University of São Paulo (USP) in São Carlos, Brazil. It offers free educational activities including an astronomical observatory, planetarium/immersive theater, science exhibitions, an experimentoteca with hands-on materials, a maker space, film screenings through Cineclube, workshops, and teacher training programs. All offerings are provided at no charge as part of USP's cultural extension mission.

Product overview

CDCC (Centro de Divulgação Científica e Cultural) is a science communication and cultural dissemination center of the University of São Paulo in São Carlos. The organization operates as a multi-faceted educational platform offering diverse products and services including the Cineclube (film club established 1981), the Observatório Dietrich Schiel (astronomical observatory with a newly inaugurated Teatro Virtual de Imersão/Planetarium), science exhibitions, Experimentoteca (experimental materials library), Espaço CDCC Maker (maker space with 3D printing), and various educational programs such as Cursinho Preparatório, minicourses, workshops, and the Encontro de Educadores em Ciências conference. The center also publishes educational materials, atlases (Atlas Sanca), and maintains partnerships for environmental education projects. Its portfolio spans astronomy education, science exhibitions, film culture, maker activities, and teacher training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cineclube CDCC A traditional film club established in 1981 that screens films with artistic and cultural relevance to the community every Saturday at 8 PM, featuring classic cinema, themed monthly programs, and post-screening discussions.
• Observatório Dietrich Schiel An astronomical observatory offering sky observation sessions, astronomy lectures, solar observation (Domingo Solar), astronomy courses, and the Cine Observatório film program featuring space-themed films.
• Teatro Virtual de Imersão (TVI) / Planetário A virtual immersion theater serving as a planetarium inaugurated in October 2025, offering immersive astronomical experiences and educational presentations for the public.
• Exposições de Ciências do CDCC Science exhibitions showcasing various scientific themes including the permanent exhibition 'Bicho: Quem te viu, quem te vê!' focused on wildlife conservation in São Paulo state.
• Experimentoteca A collection of experimental materials and resources for hands-on science education, available for teachers to borrow for classroom activities.
• Espaço CDCC Maker A maker space promoting weekly activities for middle school students focused on creating objects to solve real-world scientific problems, equipped with 3D printers, lathes, and milling machines.
• Plantão de Dúvidas de Matemática A mathematics help service offering doubt-clearing sessions for students, with virtual and in-person options available.
• Cursinho Preparatório A preparatory course for university entrance examinations (vestibular) offering math courses and study materials.
• Biblioteca do CDCC A library with spaces, services, and collections supporting scientific and cultural education.
• Atlas Sanca A historical and socio-environmental atlas of São Carlos watersheds developed in partnership with UFSCar, available as both a publication and interactive website.
• Minicursos e Oficinas Short courses and workshops on various scientific topics including Introduction to Astronomy, science teaching debate qualification, and environmental education.
• Encontro de Educadores em Ciências Annual conference for science educators bringing together teachers and educators to discuss science teaching methodologies and practices.
• Exposições Itinerantes Traveling science exhibitions that bring educational displays to different locations beyond São Carlos, including 'Bicho: Quem te viu, quem te vê!' which has been displayed in Limeira.
• Visitas Agendadas / Monitoradas Guided educational visits to CDCC spaces for school groups, including observatory visits, science exhibitions, and interactive learning experiences.

Quantifiable outcome

• All activities offered free of charge to the public

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Centro Suzuki São CarlosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusical partnership for concerts and cultural events. The Centro Suzuki de Ensino Musical São Carlos collaborates with CDCC to host string and piano concerts at the CDCC facilities, bringing classical music performances to the science center.
• FESC - Fundação Educacional de São CarloscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for socio-environmental education projects. CDCC collaborates with FESC on environmental education initiatives including the project 'Criação de Espaços Permanentes de Saúde e Educação Ambiental no Município de São Carlos'.
• UFSCar - DME/DeCAmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on the Atlas Sanca project - Atlas Histórico e Socioambiental das Regiões Hidrográficas de São Carlos. Partnership with the Department of Teaching Methodology (DME) and Center for Environmental Studies (DeCAm) at Federal University of São Carlos.
• IFSP - Instituto Federal de São PaulominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation agreement for socio-environmental education project. CDCC and IFSP collaborate on education initiatives that promote sustainability and environmental awareness.
• IFSM Muzambinho - Instituto Federal do Sul de MinasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDCC served as reference model for the creation of a new Science Center at IFSM Muzambinho campus. Faculty from IFSM visited CDCC to study its operations and programs as a benchmark.
• Secretaria Municipal de Educação de São CarloscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with São Carlos Municipal Education Secretariat for educational programs including environmental education initiatives and student participation projects.
• CIBFar/CEPID/FAPESPminorOthersCDCC hosts FAPESP-funded training opportunities. The Center for Innovation in Biodiversity and Food Science (CIBFar), a FAPESP Research Center, conducts educational material development activities in partnership with CDCC.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Museu de Astronomia e Ciências Afins (MAST): Brazilian federal museum of astronomy and related sciences. Directly comparable in focus on astronomy, observatory operations, science history exhibitions, and public science communication.
• Estação Ciência (USP São Paulo): A science outreach center operated by USP focused on experimental science exhibits and educational programs. Directly comparable in mission (USP-affiliated science communication), primary audience (students and families), and free public access model.
• Fundação Planetário da Cidade do Rio de Janeiro: Municipal planetarium in Rio de Janeiro offering immersive astronomy presentations, films, and educational programming. Closely comparable as a public planetarium with educational offerings and free public access.
• Catavento Espaço Interativo de Ciência: Interactive science museum in São Paulo offering hands-on exhibitions and educational programming. Directly comparable in experiential science education offerings, audience segments, and immersive/observatory-style experiences, though operating at larger urban scale.
• Museu da Vida (Fiocruz): Interactive science museum operated by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation focused on health and life sciences education. Comparable as a federally-affiliated interactive science museum serving students and general public with free admission.

Regional players

• Centro Cultural São Paulo: Public cultural center in São Paulo offering free cultural programming including film, exhibitions, and library services. Comparable in the cultural extension mission and free public model (Cineclube CDCC overlap), though focused on arts rather than science.
• Espaço Ciência (PE): A state-funded interactive science center in Recife offering hands-on exhibits and teacher training. Directly comparable as a public-sector science outreach center serving students and families, though based in northeastern Brazil rather than São Paulo state.

Broad incumbents

• Observatório Nacional (ON/MCTI): Brazilian federal observatory and astronomical research institution with public outreach. Overlapping in astronomy focus and observatory operations, but broader scientific mandate and research-oriented; CDCC is more educational/community-facing.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cdcc.usp
• Instagraminstagram.com/cdcc.usp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cdcc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about CDCC - Centro de Divulgação Científica e Cultural