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School Zone Podcast welcomes Holly Riehl with You CAN Do the Rubik’s Cube.
The Rubik’s Cube was invented in 1974 as a model for 3D geometry and design. It was used for educational purposes. When the Rubik’s Cube came to the United States in 1980, it became a best-selling puzzle.
About 10 years ago, Rubik’s Brand Ltd. recognized that there were many requests from teachers for affordable Rubik’s Cube resources. So our program, You CAN Do the Rubik’s Cube was put in place to satisfy those requests from teachers to use the cube in classrooms for educational purposes.
Since then, we have worked with teachers to develop a host of mathematical
units and lessons that correspond with the critical standards in schools (Common Core, 21st century, Next Generation Science). The Rubik’s Cube can be used to help teach geometry vocabulary to students.
The method that we use to solve the cube is not necessarily the fastest way to solve it, but it is the easiest method to teach and to learn.
Additionally, we have a series of lessons on our website, youcandothecube.com, and an active lending library for educators to use sets of cubes and mini lessons that pair with mathematical standards.
Not only do we strive to challenge the bright students, but we also enjoy seeing the students who may have learning disabilities experience a boost in confidence as they learn the process to solve the Rubik’s Cube. The benefits are incredibly magical in a world full of technology and focus on cell phones rather than challenging the mind.
On an annual basis, You CAN Do the Rubik’s Cube is sending out almost four thousand sets of a dozen Rubik’s Cubes to schools. In addition, we sell kits to educators who would like to keep the kits in their classroom, rather than lend them temporarily.
If you would like to contact You CAN Do the Rubik’s Cube, you can visit our site, www.youcandothecube.com for additional information, or visit the Contact tab to get in touch with Holly Riehl.
Holding the Rubik’s Cube, twisting and turning the parts, can help children of all ages grasp important math concepts including area, perimeter, volume, angles, algorithms and enumeration, among many other geometry and algebraic topics. Some teachers are even using the Rubik’s Cube to teach life lessons and 21st century skills such as focus, following directions, memorization, sequencing, problem solving, critical thinking, and perseverance.
Website:
Lending Library – 12, 24, 36 cube set, use code Zone16 and request a set during school year 2016/2017, receive free prepaid return label.
