Teachers all over Utah are getting up close and personal with history so they can share their passion with students next school year.

A total of 250 teachers applied for 90 fully funded history seminar slots, the first of which was a trip called "Foundation of Liberty" to Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia areas.

The second seminar, "The Overland Trail," was for northern Utah and Wyoming. The third seminar, "Utah and the West," slated for later this month, takes place in Mesa Verde, Colo., along with southern Utah and Arizona.

"The goal is to strengthen our teachers' and students' connection with the past through experiential learning so they can gain a greater appreciation and have a better understanding for history, freedom and democracy," said Steve Starks, special projects coordinator for Larry H. Miller Group of Companies.

The educators, most of whom normally couldn't afford this type of trip on a teacher's salary, are fully funded by joint sponsors Larry H. Miller and Zions Bank.

Jamie Beck, who teaches fifth-grade history at Timpanogos Elementary School in Provo School District, said she wants her students to see that history is real. "This all really happened. These places we talk about are really there. You can see it in a textbook, but I want to make it come alive for the students."

The seminar includes travel, meals, lodging, books and materials. The educators also receive a $500 stipend just for attending the week of academically rigorous activities.

Scott Anderson, president and CEO of Zions Bank, said, "I can think of no better way to enhance the quality of education in our state than investing in the ongoing development of our teachers. The Larry H. Miller Education Project's 'history immersion' experiences provide teachers with an unequaled opportunity to enrich their knowledge of history through on-site historical education."

A few years ago, Miller met with Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough during his visit for the Ogden School Foundation's fall author event. McCullough told Miller about a program in Maine in which public schoolteachers visit historical sites and learn more about the subject, according to Starks.

"Larry is very passionate about democracy and American history. He is worried about losing connections with the past. It's the bedrock of democracy," Starks said.

Miller wasn't available for comment due to to health issues.

Starks said Miller talked with officials in Maine and in Jordan School District to gain information before launching the history program in Utah.

Two history professors at Weber State University, Gene Sessions and Richard Sadler, hopped on board. The program is now based at WSU.