SCEC, an interdisciplinary consortium of scientists and engineers who conduct earthquake research using southern California as a natural laboratory, was established in 1991 as a National Science Foundation (NSF) Science and Technology Center. From the beginning, SCEC scientific activities were strongly influenced by a series of timely, moderate earthquakes - in most cases damaging - that occurred from 1987 - 1999

Center leaders recognized the urgent need to communicate the results of their research with the multiple millions of citizens who live and work in this seismically active region (and other populous regions affected by earthquakes), and established in 1992 the SCEC Communication, Education and Outreach (CEO) program. Today we represent over 150 leading earthquake scientists from more than 30 academic institutions (a total of 423 people make up today's SCEC community of researchers, including principal investigators, post-doctorals, graduate and undergraduate students). We enjoy working partnerships with more than 50 other earthquake science, engineering, education, and government organizations worldwide.

CEO Mission and Programs

With ongoing expert advice from constituents and partners, SCEC leaders formed a CEO program mission that has evolved as Center activities matured: to increase earthquake awareness and knowledge so that people take actions that improve safety and reduce loss.

To fulfill this mission, SCEC leaders and CEO professionals emphasize the importance of programmatic flexibility as new communications tools, technologies and methods arise. We recognize that we must be responsive to change as research results emerge and understanding of earthquakes increases. Although we strive to maintain a cutting-edge approach, the basic program components remain constant: public awareness programs and products for media reporters and writers, civic groups and the general public; education programs and products for students, educators, and working professionals; and knowledge transfer programs and products for technical professionals, scientists and engineers. We manage an array of activities based on the Center's scientific research results and processes. Products such as fact sheets, maps, posters, videos, working group reports, news briefs, public awareness brochures, educational modules and curricula, proceedings, consensus documents and databases are disseminated through mechanisms such as workshops, seminars, short courses, field trips, this web service, email list-services, print and electronic newsletters, museum exhibits, and media briefings and interviews.

Sections

K-12- Outreach Resources for K-12 Students and Educators

College/ Higher Education- Resources for Graduate and UnderGraduate Students

Public resources- Information for General Public Consumption

Espanol- Spanish Language Resources

Newsmedia Resources- Information for Newsmedia