Whether you’d like to travel back in time to view the construction of the pyramids in Egypt or zoom to a future where a cure for cancer has been found, Google is searching for time-travel ideas for an upcoming doodle on its home page.
Online search engine Google has developed a following for its logo-incorporating drawings that pop up on the website’s home page to mark holidays, birthdays of historical figures and pop culture events.
Doodle 4 Google gives kids the chance to design one of the company’s signature pieces of art. The competition, open to kids ages 5 to 18, is in its fifth year, and this year’s theme is "If I could travel in time, I’d visit …" The first place winner’s entry will be displayed on Google’s home page and receive a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology grant for his or her school. Age groups are kindergarten to third grade; fourth and fifth grade; sixth and seventh grade; eighth and ninth grade; and 10th to 12th grade.
The Honolulu Museum of Art plans to incorporate Doodle 4 Google into its existing museum programs and children’s classes, according to Aaron Padilla, the museum’s education curator. Workstations will be set up Sunday and March 18 on the lanai for Bank of Hawaii Family Sundays. The entries will be collected and submitted.
Celebrity judges, including singer Katy Perry, "Phineas and Ferb" creator Jeff "Swampy" Marsh and singer Jordin Sparks, will choose the top doodles. Deadline for submissions is March 23. Google will allow the public to make the final vote from May 2 to 10, with one winner from each age group.
The winning doodle will be showcased on www.google.com on May 18. Last year, more than 107,000 entries were received from students across the United States.
The Honolulu Museum of Art (formerly the Academy of Arts) plans to exhibit the state finalists’ artwork in an exhibition this summer. An exhibition of state winners’ work will be displayed in New York City.
"It’s a practical approach to art. The contest is more about critical thinking, problem solving and coming up with unique ideas. It’s not about learning to paint, draw or sculpt," Padilla added. "If children learn to be creative problem-solvers, they will be better off in this world."
"Successful artists have really clever ideas," he said. "It’s all about opening people’s eyes to a different way of thinking."
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Forms can be downloaded at www.google.com/doodle4google. For more information, email doodle4google-usteam@google.com.
