MANCHESTER, N.H. — Hillside Middle School language arts teacher Sue Hannan has been named a state winner in the 2014 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest.

Her entry was chosen for its innovative approach to advancing interest in STEM among her students as well as making an impact in the Manchester community.

In response to Samsung’s award notification, Hannan said, “This is a unique opportunity for the Manchester school. We will be collaborating with students, colleagues, parents, community members and the media to create a project that spotlights the salmon release project, and will spotlight the health of the Merrimack River as well. While this will be a very involved project, it will assist students in concentrating their writing efforts into producing data analysis, integrating all subjects, and including many local and state standards for education. Students and community members will be involved in a service project that serves everyone.”

As a state winner, Hannan has already earned a minimum of $20,000 in Samsung technology for Hillside Middle School. She will now go on to represent New Hampshire in the national competition where she will create a two- to three-minute video that brings her lesson plan to life, the opportunity to earn a larger technology package of $35,000 or $140,000 and a chance to come and present her story with other competing schools in March.

If she is chosen as one of Samsung’s five national winners, Hannan will also be invited to attend an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., in April.

Hannan is the daughter of Hugh and Grace Keene of Auburn.