Schools urged to doodle for Google

Young artists have their pens at the ready to design a St Patrick’s Day homepage for internet giant Google.

The search engine today launched a national competition for primary and secondary school pupils to create an image that will be seen across the world wide web.

The doodle, to be designed under the theme 'My Ireland' around Google’s famous logo, will feature on its Home Page in Ireland, UK, Canada and the US on March 17, 2009.

The star pupil’s school will also be awarded a €10,000 technology grant.

Adele Cooper, of Google Ireland, said the event was a fantastic opportunity for students of all ages to let their imagination run wild.

“Google has run this competition in the UK and USA, but this is the first time the winning design will be seen outside the winner’s country,” she said.

“The theme My Ireland can be interpreted in many ways so we can’t wait to see how it will be represented in the doodles submitted by students in Ireland.”

Each primary and secondary school in Ireland can submit a maximum of six pieces of art to Google, which employs 1,500 people in Dublin.

A panel of judges will pick the best 104 designs which will go on-line in age and county categories.

Google users will then vote for their favourite, with the top four going head to head in the national final.

Google Webmaster Dennis Hwang will select the best doodle in Dublin.

Since 2000, the 29-year-old has been creating designs doodles for the web page celebrating and marking worldwide events and holidays.

Ms Cooper said a €10,000 grant will benefit the winning pupil’s school.

“Integrating technology into our schooling is central to our success as a knowledge economy and we are delighted that we can make this significant contribution to a school in Ireland,” she added.

Schools must register for 'Doodle 4 Google' by November 7 and submit entries by December 12.