Cube sparks learning

One eighth of the population of the world has tried their luck solving the Rubik’s Cube. The most popular puzzle in history, Erno Rubik created it in 1974 first to see if he could solve structural problems by independently moving parts without the entire mechanism falling apart. Rubik did not know he created a puzzle until he first scrambled his cube. It was then that it turned into a puzzle, which was originally called the “Magic Cube.”

As the cube sits on my desk here in my nursing office, students ask if I can solve it. I can and it does seem in an amazing way to be magic as the colors unfold into sides of solid color.

Jacob thought it was also magic. He couldn’t believe that he could learn how to solve the puzzle.

“Do you know how to do long division?” I asked.

“Yes,” Jacob answered.

“What do you have to learn before long division?” I asked.

“Short division,” Jacob answered.

“And what about short division, what do you have to learn before that?” I asked again. “Multiplication,” he said.

“What do you have to learn before that?” I asked.

“Addition and subtraction,” he replied.

“Yes!” I exclaimed. “And what do you have to know before you can add and subtract?”

“How to count,” Jacob answered.

“Exactly,” I said. “Same with the cube, first we learn simple steps, understand them, and add new ones.”

As Jacob sits and turns the cube, out of the blue he exclaims with conviction, “I am a scientist!”

It was then that it hit me how powerful the Rubik’s cube can be as a tool to increase self-esteem by problem solving a concrete puzzle to create magic.

In October Wasilla Middle School will start its first Rubik’s Cube Club. We are in the process of submitting a grant to the Hasbro toy company to request a cube for each student. School-wide competitions are in our future and eventually we hope to find a Rubik’s cube genius or two who can compete on the national level.

Brian Rohrig, a science teacher at Jonathan Alder High School in Plain City, Ohio states in an article, “Each year, I look forward to introducing the Rubik’s Cube in my classes. There is something special about this colorful, 3-D puzzle that seems to captivate the imagination of even the most lethargic student. This activity has shown me that every student has a tremendous amount of untapped potential, waiting to be unlocked. The Rubik’s Cube has been a valuable key in unlocking it.”

Learning the Rubik’s Cube can improve spatial awareness, as it exercises the brain, demonstrates the need for practice, and represents a pure example of true learning. And perhaps, because of the magical powers of the Rubik’s Cube, Jacob will learn to solve it, and believe in himself enough to truly become a scientist.

Wendy DeGraffenried, is tai chi and qigong instructor, owner of Alaska Transplant Clothing Company and The Chocolate Rx, and the nurse at Wasilla Middle School.