During 5th grade, there was a huge Rubik’s cube phase going around my school, where everyone would learn how to solve a Rubik’s cube. I’ve always been curious to learn how to solve one as it looked so complex. On top of that, seeing my friends solve the Rubik’s cube motivated me to learn as well. I found a tutorial online and started learning, taking only a week before learning how to fully solve a Rubik’s cube. I learned the layer-by-layer method, where the cube would be solved one layer at a time. Upon learning the method, I found it to be quite easy, but was also curious as to how someone was able to create this method.
At first, it took me around 2 minutes to solve a cube. Little by little, I was able to improve my time, decreasing it to 1 minute 30 seconds then to 1 minute.
In the middle of 5th grade, one of the student’s parents decided to start a team. The team hosted weekly practices and participated in Rubik’s sponsored cubing competitions. These competitions consisted of team solves, where a team of 8 tried to solve 25 cubes as fast as possible, and an individual event.
Toward the end of 5th grade, we went to our first Rubik’s cube competition. I was excited about the competition, but also nervous. I wanted to get a solve time of under 50 seconds at the competition, something I wasn’t able to do in practice. I practiced every day, working on my speed and precision as I turned the cube. During team practices, we practiced on the team solve, working out a strategy on how to solve 25 cubes the fastest way possible.
On competition day, all the team members slowly filed into the school’s cafeteria, where the competition would be held. Before the team event began, each team scrambled another team’s cubes and covered them up. Once all the cubes were scrambled and the teams were ready, the judge said, “you may begin.”
As all 8 members were solving their cubes, you could hear the cubes clicking and clacking with each turn. As we solved the cubes, each member communicated how many cubes they’ve solved and what step of the solve process they were on. Little by little, the cubes on the table were being solved as the whole team was laser eye focused on their cube. Once all the cubes were solved, we stopped the timer, and waited for the other teams to finish. We looked at our time. 4 minutes. Not bad. Unfortunately, we didn’t finish in the top three, but the team was satisfied with the result.
Next was the individual event. For the event, each competitor got 15 seconds to inspect the cube to plan out how to solve it before beginning their solve. When it was my turn, I nervously walked up to the desk, where a cube was hidden under a cup. When the judge flipped the cup, I began my inspection. Not a bad scramble, I thought. Once I finished my inspection, I placed my hands on the timer, and began solving.
Throughout the solve, I felt my fingers stiffen up. I tried my best to keep my composure as I nervously turned the cube. With each turn, I told myself to focus on precisely turning the cube so it won’t lock up and plan ahead for the next step of the solving process. After what felt like an eternity, I finished my last turn and stopped the timer, letting out a huge sigh of relief. At first, I thought I got over 1 minute, but to my surprise, the timer read 48 seconds. My heart was racing. I couldn’t believe it; I actually went under 50 seconds. For the rest of the competition, I couldn’t help but smile at my new personal best. Although I didn’t get any awards from that competition, I was very content with the results.
At first, it took me around 2 minutes to solve a cube. Little by little, I was able to improve my time, decreasing it to 1 minute 30 seconds then to 1 minute.
In the middle of 5th grade, one of the student’s parents decided to start a team. The team hosted weekly practices and participated in Rubik’s sponsored cubing competitions. These competitions consisted of team solves, where a team of 8 tried to solve 25 cubes as fast as possible, and an individual event.
Toward the end of 5th grade, we went to our first Rubik’s cube competition. I was excited about the competition, but also nervous. I wanted to get a solve time of under 50 seconds at the competition, something I wasn’t able to do in practice. I practiced every day, working on my speed and precision as I turned the cube. During team practices, we practiced on the team solve, working out a strategy on how to solve 25 cubes the fastest way possible.
On competition day, all the team members slowly filed into the school’s cafeteria, where the competition would be held. Before the team event began, each team scrambled another team’s cubes and covered them up. Once all the cubes were scrambled and the teams were ready, the judge said, “you may begin.”
As all 8 members were solving their cubes, you could hear the cubes clicking and clacking with each turn. As we solved the cubes, each member communicated how many cubes they’ve solved and what step of the solve process they were on. Little by little, the cubes on the table were being solved as the whole team was laser eye focused on their cube. Once all the cubes were solved, we stopped the timer, and waited for the other teams to finish. We looked at our time. 4 minutes. Not bad. Unfortunately, we didn’t finish in the top three, but the team was satisfied with the result.
Next was the individual event. For the event, each competitor got 15 seconds to inspect the cube to plan out how to solve it before beginning their solve. When it was my turn, I nervously walked up to the desk, where a cube was hidden under a cup. When the judge flipped the cup, I began my inspection. Not a bad scramble, I thought. Once I finished my inspection, I placed my hands on the timer, and began solving.
Throughout the solve, I felt my fingers stiffen up. I tried my best to keep my composure as I nervously turned the cube. With each turn, I told myself to focus on precisely turning the cube so it won’t lock up and plan ahead for the next step of the solving process. After what felt like an eternity, I finished my last turn and stopped the timer, letting out a huge sigh of relief. At first, I thought I got over 1 minute, but to my surprise, the timer read 48 seconds. My heart was racing. I couldn’t believe it; I actually went under 50 seconds. For the rest of the competition, I couldn’t help but smile at my new personal best. Although I didn’t get any awards from that competition, I was very content with the results.