Highlights from Google’s Student Doodle Challenge

At Large July 12, 2022 Anna Claire Mauney

Google Doodle.

This piece, Self reflection, was made by a student from Oregon in the grades 10-12 Group. In explanation of the artwork, this student wrote: “I care for myself by seeing the best in me,” adding, “When I look in the mirror, I try reminding myself of the beautiful parts of me. I hope that if I feel better about myself, I can help others feel better about themselves as well.”

Google’s Student Doodle Challenge is wrapping up its stage of public voting so we thought we’d take a moment to share some of our favorite illustrations. The competition, an annual affair for fourteen years now, is open to kids across the United States and its territories in grades K through 12. Although we are covering the current U.S. series, which asked for submissions about self-care, Google holds similar competitions with a variety of prompts across the world and throughout the year.

Thus far, fifty-four State and Territory Winners for 2022 have already been selected. These winners will have their doodles featured in a special Google gallery and will receive, “Google hardware, a congratulatory message from Google, and fun Google swag.”

Google Doodle.

This piece, Sports for all, was made by a student from Texas, in the grades 6-7 Group. The student wrote the following about their artwork: “This Doodle represents how I care for myself by doing all sorts of sports.” The illustration features a diverse group participating in an array of activities that range from basketball to figure skating.

Over the course of July 7-12, 2022, members of the public have cast their votes to select a top four from this fifty-four.

Those who do not go on to be selected as the National Winner will be named National Finalists and receive a $5,000 college scholarship in addition to the rewards associated with achieving State and Territory Winner status.

Eventually, one National Winner will be chosen by a panel of judges. This year’s panel features Selena Gomez and, 2021 National Teacher of the Year, Juliana Urtubey.

The National Winner’s artwork will be displayed on Google for twenty-four hours and they will receive a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology package for their school or a chosen non-profit organization.

Google Doodle.

Alithia Haven Ramirez’s illustration.

Tragically, a victim of the recent Uvalde school shooting was one of many contestants in this year’s series. Ten-year-old Alithia Haven Ramirez’s illustration spells out Google with several pieces of her own artwork hung on the wall.

The artwork is currently being displayed on a page dedicated to her memory.

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About the Author

Anna Claire Mauney

Anna Claire Mauney is the former managing editor for Art & Object. A writer and artist living in North Carolina, she is interested in illustration, the 18th-century, and viceregal South America. She is also the co-host of An Obsessive Nature, a podcast about writing and pop culture.