Google Doodle contest invites entries from Canadian kids

Google is challenging Canadian kids to come up with a doodle to adorn the search giant's home page.

Students in kindergarten through Grade 12 can submit an image for the Doodle 4 Google contest that fits the theme: "If I could invent anything I would invent..."

The deadline is Dec. 31, after which a judging committee will narrow down the submissions to 75 regional finalists.

Then, a panel of celebrity judges — retired astronaut Chris Hadfield, actress Karine Vanasse, Royal Ontario Museum CEO Janet Carding and Google Science Fair winner Ann Makosinski — will select 25 finalists, who will be flown to Toronto for the award presentation.

Public voting between Jan. 31 and Feb. 14, 2014 will determine the winner, who will receive a $10,000 scholarship. The winner's school will also receive a $10,000 grant.

This year marks the first time the Doodle 4 Google contest has been organized in Canada.