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].

Featured

  • Two figures, one male and one female, stand beside a transparent digital interface displaying AI symbols like neural networks, code, and a shield, against a clean blue gradient background.

    Microsoft-IDC Report Makes Business Case for Responsible AI

    A report commissioned by Microsoft and published last month by research firm IDC notes that 91% of organizations use AI tech and expect more than a 24% improvement in customer experience, business resilience, sustainability, and operational efficiency due to AI in 2024.

  • group of educators working on computer

    Improve Teacher-Student Satisfaction by Removing Procurement Obstacles

    Intuitive tools help teachers gain flexibility and control over purchases, and more time back for doing what they love.

  • abstract geometric pattern of glowing interconnected triangles, hexagons, and circles in blue, gold, and white, spread across a dark navy-to-black gradient background

    OpenAI Introduces 'Operator' AI for Performing Web Tasks

    OpenAI has announced "Operator," an AI agent designed to perform web-based tasks autonomously using its own browser. Currently available as a research preview for Pro users in the United States, the tool aims to automate everyday activities such as filling out forms, ordering groceries, and even creating memes.

  • horizontal stack of U.S. dollar bills breaking in half

    ED Abruptly Cancels ESSER Funding Extensions

    The Department of Education has moved to close the door on COVID relief funding for schools, declaring that "extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion."