SALT LAKE CITY — School is out for the summer, but some Utah teachers are using the time to sharpen their STEM skills.

Educators are constantly looking for ways to make science, technology, engineering and math fun and relevant for students. Every year, they get a lot of great advice from experts at the STEM Best Practices Conference in Ogden.

“No one is making them come. We certainly don’t pay them to come. They’re just there because they want to continue to improve their practice,” said Kellie Yates, Utah STEM Action Center collaboration and program development manager.

It’s a free, expo-style event focusing on the latest innovative learning methods in STEM for K-12 schools.

For the first time, organizers are expanding the conference to two other locations.

On Thursday, the conference kicked off in Price. Next Monday, educators can attend one in St. George.

“They are just as important and necessary to education across the state and we want to make sure that they have the same opportunities and access as teachers in more heavily populated areas,” said Yates.

Yates says it’s been a real game changer for teachers, who can network and learn how to apply for grants to incorporate these new teachings into their classroom.

Yates added they were testing out the multiple locations this year as part of a pilot program. If they do decide to bring it back next year, they could add other cities.