Google, Discovery Ed Partner on Doodle 4 Google Competition

Google is teaming up with Discovery Education to give students an opportunity to meet the artists behind Google's doodles via a virtual field trip. The event, dubbed "From Sketches to the Google Homepage," is part of the seventh annual Doodle 4 Google competition and will be broadcast live from the company's headquarters March 5 at 1 pm Eastern.

"The virtual field trip will give students a first-hand look at how a doodle comes to life including the brainstorming, design tools and science behind the process," according to a news release about the event. "In addition, Sabrina Brady, the 2013 Doodle 4 Google competition winner, will tell her story of how she created her touching doodle and is pursuing her dreams in art school."

"Sparking student curiosity not only ignites innovative thinking, but also serves as a critical ingredient in creating the problem-solvers that will be so critical to the workforce of the future," said Lori McFarling, chief marketing officer at Discovery Education, in a prepared statement.

This year's competition asks K-12 students to submit a doodle inspired by the prompt, "If I could invent one thing to make the world a better place..."

"Each year we are so impressed by the talents and ideas coming from these kids," said Doodle Team Lead Ryan Germick, in a prepared statement. "This year's theme about invention is especially close to our heart at Google since throughout history, ideas big and small, practical and playful, have started out as doodles.  I can't wait to see what the students come up with this year."

To enter, participants can simply download an entry form, create their doodle and submit the form online or through the mail before March 20.

The companies have also collaborated on classroom resources, including videos and activity packs, "to kick start creativity" for the competition.

The national winner will be awarded a $30,000 college scholarship, a trip to Google headquarters, a Chromebook, an Android tablet and a shirt with their doodle on it. Four national finalists will receive a $5,000 scholarship, a trip to Google, an Android tablet, and a shirt with their Doodle. Fifty state winners will win a tablet, a trip to Google, and a shirt with their doodle.

For more information, or to register for the competition, visit google.com/doodle4google. To register for the virtual field trip or to download the class resources, visit discoveryeducation.com/doodle4google.

About the Author

Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].

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