Have you ever wondered how Google comes up with its ideas for its banners? These are not just randomly created banners but purposefully designed works of art. Google solicits ideas from the world for this banner through its “Doodle 4 Google” contest for school children (kindergarten through twelfth grade). Each year Google challenges students to come up with a banner to reflect a theme and thousands of children put their imaginations to work. Google chooses the winning designs through a combination of internal selection process and then a public vote.

This year Linden Hill fourth grader, Prasanna K., found his design on Google’s State Finalist page. Prasanna learned he was a state finalist while he was at school. His first thought was to tell his parents about his accomplishment. Unbeknownst to him, his parents had already been notified via email.  Prasanna’s father,  Dayanandham Krishnamoorthy, expressed feeling very, very happy to learn about his son’s accolade. “This award encourages Prasanna to continue to learn about space and aeronautical engineering,” states Krishnamoorthy.

Prasanna’s deep interest in space was just one of the ideas that he considered before he finally decided upon the Apollo XI Mission that landed on the moon.  He also thought about depicting the Mesozoic Era, the Ice Age, the future, and robotics. Prasanna’s parents served as his first art critics and helped him narrow down a vast portfolio of sketches.  Throughout his brainstorming process,  he kept returning to his original idea of the Apollo XI Mission.  “I marvel at what scientists were able to do with the technology that they had at the time,” reflects Prasanna. “They put men on the moon with very limited technology.”

Linden Hill is very proud of Prasanna and this great recognition. We may see him standing on the surface of an alien planet one day.  Way to go Prasanna!!