SCEC’s Communication, Education, and Outreach (CEO) program addresses the final element of SCEC’s mission: Communicate understanding to end-users and society at large as useful knowledge for reducing earthquake risk and improving community resilience. The theme of the CEO program is Partner Globally, Prepare Locally preparing people and organizations to make informed decisions (split-second as well as long-term) that reduce loss improve safety, and advance overall prosperity and welfare, and also preparing the next generation of scientists via research opportunities and support through career transitions.

SCEC CEO is a global leader in expanding knowledge about earthquake science, risk, and preparedness among a wide range of stakeholders, through bold and creative activities such as the global Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills which involve. CEO also fosters collective impact through partnerships (inspired by the success of the SCEC Community) that accelerate innovation and provide new capabilities for risk reduction, such as California’s Earthquake Country Alliance. These activities and networks have developed our communication channels (via email, social media, and the press) to reach public, private, non-profit, and community leaders across the nation to inspire new ways of thinking and responding to the challenges that earthquakes and their impacts pose to the nation and the world.  As many of these activities involve educators (both in the classroom and in venues such as museums and science centers), we offer resources and opportunities that expand learning and pique scientific curiosity, including about awareness of careers in the geosciences and other STEM fields.

SCEC also has nearly 30 years of broadening participation of underrepresented groups in STEM through its innovative Experiential Learning and Career Advancement programs that enrich educational experiences, including more than 700 internship opportunities since 1994, and growing set of activities under the Transitions program that support students and early career scientists with mentoring, and networking opportunities, and provide research or conference travel funding for students.