Kids! The “Doodle 4 Google” Window is Closing!

The Pacific Science Center just emailed us to remind the kids (grades K-12) of Washington State that the deadline for this year’s “Doodle 4 Google” contest is March 23. This year’s theme? “If I could travel in time, I’d visit…”

One lucky student artist will see their artwork appear on the Google homepage and take home some cool prizes–and as a special bonus, the winning artwork will appear on a limited edition of Crayola‘s iconic 64 box!

Says the Pacific Science Center: “The winning doodler will take home a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology grant for his or her school. Even more exciting, the winning artwork from Washington state will be featured on Google’s homepage and in a special exhibition in our Ackerley Family Exhibit Gallery!”

$30,000! That’s almost a full year of tuition! Because I’m never happy unless I’m creating new friends, I can’t fail to mention how wonderful it would be if the winning doodler submitted art created with a Microsoft Touch Mouse. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

So here’s how the winning part works: All doodles need to be submitted by March 23. Then “a team of Googlers” and guest judges (Katy Perry, Phineas and Ferb creator and executive producer Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, recording artist Jordin Sparks) choose finalists. On May 2, a public vote will determine one winner from each grade group. First prize will be awarded on May 17th, with the winning Google doodler’s art showcased on google.com on May 18th, commemorating by chance the eruption of Mount St. Helens.

As someone who, somewhat bemusedly, watched the mountain erupt back in 1980, and never thought to  try to film it, if I could travel in time, I’d visit my childhood with a digital camera and get that sucker on HD, then live comfortably off the proceeds from royalties for the footage. I know what you’re thinking, and you’re right: No one could use digital HD footage in 1980. So maybe I would just hang on to it until they were making that IMAX film, and be all, “I know, it’s crazy good definition for the time, isn’t it?”

Anyway, this is my idea. You get your own.