Five New Hampshire schools, including two in Nashua, are among the nation’s 255 state finalists for the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest.

The program encourages teachers and students to solve real-world issues in their community using classroom skills in science, technology, engineering and math, also known as the STEM subjects.

The Nashua finalists are Elm Street Middle School, whose topic was socioeconomic, and Pennichuck Middle School, whose topic was low student motivation.

The state finalists will receive technology and a professional development class from PBS TeacherLine for the teacher who entered the competition.

Next, the five finalists will submit a lesson plan outlining how they will address the challenge with their students while working with their communities to address issues such as water pollution and street safety – all with a share of $2 million on the line.

The other New Hampshire finalists and their community topics were Salem High School, environment; Cawley Middle School, Hooksett, low student motivation; and Bow High School, environment.

After state finalists are selected from the 50 states and Washington, D.C., 15 national finalists will be selected. The finalists will pitch their idea to a panel of judges, and people will be able to vote for their favorite ideas.

Five national winners will be honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, where they
will also get the opportunity to meet their congressmen and senators.