Doodle 4 Google Competition for $30k scholarship, $50k tech grant, and more

Students grades K-12 are invited by Google to enter their Doodle drawings for a chance to win a $30,000 scholarship, a $50,000 technology grant for their school, and not only see their artwork on the Google homepage for a day, but also have their work shown at the American Museum of Natural History for a month, just for entering the Google Doodle 4 contest! Those are some pretty amazing prizes for doing what kids love to do all of the time anyway – draw, doodling and dabble in art. With a theme of "My best day ever..." how easy is that to spark creative?

Google is calling all United States students in grades K-12 to get creative and get their Doodle 4 Google on; but hurry, all entries must be received by March 22, 2013. (No worries, it's easy to enter.)

That's right, kids, this year's Doodle 4 Google Contest winning artist will see their work on the Google homepage for a day, win a $30,000 college scholarship, and also win a $50,000 technology grant for his or her school. But that's not all; it keeps getting better. This year's winners to receive even more recognition.

On May 1 Google will have open up a public vote for the 50 State Winners who will also be flown to New York City for a national awards ceremony on May 22. There, Google will also announce the National Winner, (whose doodle will appear on the Google homepage the following day). In addition, all the State Winners will have their artwork on display at the American Museum of Natural History from May 22 to July 14. Is that cool, or what?

And, participating is easier than ever. Students can download the entry forms on our Doodle 4 Google site and send in completed Doodles by mail or online. All entries must be received by March 22, 2013.

This year’s Doodle 4 Google exciting guest judges include: Journalist and TV-personality Katie Couric; photographer Deborah Feingold; Chairman of The Jim Henseon Company, Director, Producer, Writer and Puppeteer Brian Hensen; Author and Illustrator of the “Amulet” graphic novel series Kazu Kibuishi; Captain of the U.S. women's gymnastics team, Olympic bronze and gold medalist, Aly Raisman; Writer and director of “Lilo & Stitch” and “How to Train your Dragon” Chris Sanders; Drummer, DJ and member of The Roots, Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson; and Creator of the animated series “Adventure Time” Pendelton Ward.

Google has always been very supportive of youngsters across the United States – believing that if it weren't for that same creativity, passion and imagination that they possess, there wouldn't be a Google today. With the exploration of past, present and future with thoughts that range from small to personal to broad with exciting themes such as this year’s theme, “My best day ever…” Google looks forward to the submissions.

Some of the responses to “My best day ever…” could be:

· …was when I kicked the winning soccer goal.

· …will be when I travel to the moon.

· …was when my little sister was born.

· …was when I visited Spain.

· …will be when I go to college.

With the partnering of the American Museum of Natural History for this year’s Doodle 4 Google Competition and the hosting of 50 state winners in New York City at the museum May 22 through July 14, 2013 – children have even more to look forward to.

Submissions are welcome from parents, teachers, after school programs, etc. Each entry must be accompanied by a completed official entry form signed by the student’s parent or guardian. Parents should check with the school to be sure the school is not already participating to avoid duplicate entries; and children must be enrolled in a United States-based school serving grades K-12 to participate in the contest. Some of the entry details include no regular 8-1/2 x 11-inch documents will be accepted, however, other sheets of white paper or paper with light patterns can be used just be sure the Doodle is clear and pattern doesn't interfere (white paper is best; no cardboard or foam board; thicker “paper” stock is OK) and taped to the entry form; Photoshop can be used (see website for complete entry details and guidelines, measurements, etc.)

Entries are narrowed down to the top 50 state winners, eligible Doodles are judged by Google employees and guest judges against the following criteria:

· Artistic merit: based on grade group and artistic skill

· Creativity: based on the representation of the theme and use of the Google logo

· Theme communication: how well the theme is expressed

· Appropriateness of the supporting statement

And, another great thing is the public participation who will be involved in the judging as well with an invite to vote online from May 1, 2013 12:00 pm Eastern Time (ET) to May 10, 2013 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). They will be asked to select their favorite doodles, one from each grade group.

With a more even distribution in the judging and the guest and public judging, it should be exciting for children this year. Students can check on how their state is doing (to watch the video to see who is in the lead), and also get further information by visiting the website. Those with questions can email Google at: Doodle4Google-usteam@google.com. To see previous Google drawings and for entry forms, visit the Google site,

Past winners of the Doodle 4 Competition include Dylan Hoffman from Wisconsin with the theme, "If I could travel in time, I'd visit..." who was winner of the 2012 Doodle 4 Google Competition. And Matteo Lopez from California, with the theme, "What I want to do someday..." who was winner of the 2011 Doodle 4 Google Competition.

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Additional information:

Check out Google's website:

For those interested in more on the Doodle 4 Google Competitions be sure to check out the suggested links to read about P.K.'s "Doodle 4 Google Competition 2012" and the "Google Doodles Commemorate history, delight users and promote education" for more of a detailed version behind the contest, as well as the Doodles and who creates them.

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