Rubik’s Cube enrichment benefits problem solving skills

Jackson Gutknecht Photo

Every week, students at Peet Junior High gather for enrichments.

Peet Junior High in the past has held a Tiger Time enrichment on how to solve a Rubik’s Cube, but Sarah Cooper’s new enrichment has kids working harder and exploring and exercising their brains to problem solve Rubik’s Cubes. 

This new enrichment meets every Wednesday for the month of March, Cooper, the ELP teacher at Peet, brought in different types of Rubik’s cubes for kids to enjoy. “I was at a national conference for gifted teachers and learned about a lending library for Rubik’s Cubes. I learned I could borrow a whole set for six weeks at no cost,” Cooper said. 

The enrichment promotes self learning and problem solving, “I have solution guides that walk them through the algorithms to solve, and some also are watching YouTube videos to solve on their own.” 

The process of solving a Rubik’s Cube can varies. The online official Rubik’s Cube PDF walks anyone with any skill through solving a basic 3×3 Rubik’s Cube. 

Cooper said, “I also like having them in my room during study hall; some students get done with their required work and enjoy trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube. I like providing another opportunity for them to be exercising their brain throughout the day.” 

Having Rubik’s Cubes in the classroom for student use has many benefits to the students. If the student learns to solve the cube by using algorithms, it can help train the muscle memory, and this can come in handy with driving and playing an instrument. 

If a students learn to solve cubes by themselves without a guide, it can help build problem solving skills with more than just technical or physical problems. It can also help with taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture and can be a great skill to have with social jobs. 

If a student starts speedcubing (trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube as fast as they can), it can help improve reflexes and build the skill of thinking ahead of now. 

The official Rubik’s Cube website has videos of step by step on how to solve a Rubik’s Cube, and it also has tips tricks and a PDF of step by step.