Enter the 2016 'Doodle 4 Google' contest now, using 'What I see for the future' theme
Between the rather contentious USA presidential election, natural disasters, terrorism, gun crimes, and other terrible things reported in the news, it is a wonder that people get out of bed in the morning. With that said, positive news just doesn't get as much coverage, making the negativity seem overly prominent. There is plenty of good in the world, folks. Be happy.
Today, Google launches its 2016 'Doodle 4 Google' contest with a focus on fun and good. If you aren't familiar, it invites children across the USA (grades K-12) to use art skills to 'doodle' the Google logo, focusing on a certain theme. It is fun, educational, and quite frankly, makes me smile. It is a refreshingly light annual reminder that enjoyment is alive and well. This year, the theme is "What I see for the future".
"We like to think about what’s next. So we're asking kids to imagine what awaits them in the years to come and represent that vision of this year’s theme: 'What I see for the future…' Yes, that means anything they see -- even if it includes flying dogs, living on a shooting star, the trip of their dreams, or for the true Futurists out there -- perhaps a distant world filled with dazzling new technology of all shapes and sizes", says Ryan Germick, Google Doodle Team Lead.
Germick further says, "this year's contest is going to be one for the record books; the future and the ways to depict it are limitless. That’s why we’ll have an all-star group of judges including our very own Google Doodlers help select the National Winner. In addition to the homepage showcase, the winner will receive $30,000 towards a college scholarship, and the opportunity to work with the Doodle team at the Googleplex in Mountain View. As an added bonus: Their home school will get to spend $50,000 on technology to help foster the next generation of professionals (and who knows, maybe future Googlers, too)".
Wow, the prizes this year are incredible -- both for the winner and his/her school. Everyone is a winner in this contest, however, as it gets the students' imaginations going. Teachers can leverage Doodle 4 Google in a lesson plan, getting a discussion about 'the future' started. Even if they don't get the grand prize, having fun and learning is a respectable alternative.
If you are interested in learning more, you can enter the 2016 Doodle 4 Google contest here.