• by Laurie Sullivan  @lauriesullivan, February 7, 2014

Attention all young artists: A Doodle 4 Google contest with the theme "If I could invent one thing to make the world a better place ... " will give students in kindergarten through 12th grade a chance to demonstrate their creativity and artistic talent.

Parents, teachers, and after school program administrators can submit the applications on behalf of the students who want to participate in the Doodle 4 Google contest. Google partner Discovery Education will offer videos and activities for teachers and parents, as well as a virtual field trip to Google's headquarters.

The Doodle 4 Google contest submissions are due by March 20, with 50 state finalists being announced and opened to public voting on April 29. Google will announce winners in June.

To determine state winners, Google invited a panel of guest judges, including astronaut Ron Garan; and authors Lemony Snicket, Mary Pope Osborne and creator of the Percy Jackson series Rick Riordan, among others.

Award prizes include a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 Google for Education technology grant for the winner's school. The winning Doodle will serve as the Google logo for a day.