gistfile1.js

App.obj = Ember.Object.create({
    "things": Ember.A(["Dog", "CAT", "Rat"])
});

App.ApplicationController = Ember.ArrayController.extend({
    selectterm: null,
    submit: function (context) {
        var term = this.get("selectterm");
        alert(term);
    }
});



{{view Ember.TextField type="hidden" value="Request" valueBinding="selectterm"}}
{{#with App.obj}}
<ul class='dropdown-menu'>
    {{#each things}}
    <li> <a href="#" data-value="{{this}}">{{this}}</a></li>
    {{/each}}
</ul>
{{/with}}
</ul>
<button  class="btn" {{action "submit"}} > <i class="icon-search"></i></button>