Students seeking national recognition, an extra something to put in their resumes or just a place to write down their creative thoughts now have the opportunity they've been waiting for.

They can just go go Google Gadget.

Currently, Google is holding an award program for all undergraduate and graduate university students across the nation to create their own personal 'gadget' that can be submitted in a variety of categories.

Google Gadgets are applications that personalize Google homepages, Google Desktop and Google Page Creator, Adam Sah, architect for Google Gadgets, said.

"Basically a Google Gadget is a mini version of a Web page," Sah said. "It has your own URL and you can submit the gadget in a normal directory. There isn't much to it."

After a popularity explosion of Google Gadgets last December, this award program was simply an extension of what Google was already doing, Sah said.

"These gadgets are a new way to express yourself on the Internet, and this is a great way of getting people aware of this," he said.

Each gadget is submitted into a different category of most useful gadget, most intelligent gadget, gadget most likely to help you get a date, most addictive gadget, prettiest gadget and best overall gadget. The winner of each category will receive a trophy and will be promoted on each Google personalized homepage.

Nicole Peterson (sophomore-mechanical engineering) said she would be interested in entering the awards program.

"I am an engineering major, and this would be good to have on a resume," Peterson said. "It shows initiative and creativity on my part."

Each student can submit as many gadgets as they desire to any of the categories. After the gadgets are submitted, the creator is allowed to go back and change anything he or she does not like about their design.

The award program is not limited to any specific major because gadgets are so easy to create and understand, Sah said.

"This is so we can encourage all people to come up with interesting ideas that we couldn't come up with on our own," Sah said. "Young people have really great ideas that the pros don't have."

The information sciences and technology (IST) department offers classes to aid students in making a gadget, Gerry Santoro, assistant IST professor, said.

"We offer classes that provide the background in programming design and skill concepts for this contest," Santoro said. "But it's really up to the student to apply these tools to creating a Google Gadget."

Students are also encouraged to enter the awards program for the chance to enhance their resumes.

IST Internship Coordinator Madhavi Kari said she believes the awards program is very beneficial to students.

"I think any type of experience, especially for technical students, to have the opportunity to get involved with Google is great," Kari said. "It will serve as an ice breaker and conversation starter for students in interviews and be a great thing to put on their resume."

Although some students think the awards program is beneficial for some people, they are not interested in applying.

Tommy Cropper (freshman-political science) said, "I think there are a lot of really computer-savvy students, and it would be a good opportunity for them."

Matt Opremcak (junior-IST) said even though he is an IST major, he will not enter the awards program.

"I just don't have enough time to sit down and do that," he said.

Santoro said he believes the awards program to be a good opportunity for all students.

"That kind of positive publicity is a great thing that can really help your career and can open doors that you may have never anticipated," he said.