You CAN do the Rubik's Cube! Have you signed up yet?

Deadline for the tournament sign up is April 30, 2010 so there is still a little bit of time to sign up for the Rubik's cube tournament!

Are you a teacher and looking to incorporate the Rubik's cube contest into your teaching lessons? There is an orientation workshop on April 10th at the National Electronics Museum (1745 West Nursery Road, Linthicum Hts, MD 21090-2906) where we will show you how to solve the Rubik's Cube and you will hear from Teachers and Educators who already use the Rubik's Cube in their classroom. To sign up for this workshop, simply state so on the tournament registration form.The first 30 teachers/coaches who register for the tournament AND attend the teacher/coach orientation workshop on April 10, are eligible to receive a free Math Education Kit valued at $150.

Since I last posted about the Rubik's cube, I have made substantial progress in learning how to solve the puzzle. I have come within two pieces of solving the puzzle before a wrong move ended up derailing me, but I can consistently get to the point of one face and two layers solved. It's just that top layer that is eluding me. My first goal is to solve the puzzle and my second is to start working on time. With practice and focus it is coming along! I have figured out a few go-to moves that can get me out of a few binds, but I regularly consult my '7 step solution guide' to help me. I am sure it will come with more practice, but hopefully I can convince a few out there that it is possible to learn how to solve. The other great thing is to discover how to use this fun puzzle to teach math. Check out that link and see some great ways to use the Rubik's cube in the classroom. I always enjoyed math class, but I think I would have enjoyed it even more if it were taught with a Rubik's cube! Back to practicing!