Aloha students learn algorithms through Rubik’s Cube club
BEAVERTON, Ore. (KOIN) — Most kids can’t wait for the final bell of the school day. But at Aloha Huber Park Elementary in Beaverton, some students stay after school to learn about algorithms — through a Rubik’s Cube club.
Third-grade teacher Marcos Rodriguez runs the club and told KOIN 6 News he can see a difference in the students.
“It helps them persevere in something they think they can do,” Rodriguez said. “They see other students doing it and they want to achieve that goal.”
Student-teacher Heidi Flores Paniagua agrees. “We’ve seen a lot of confidence boost in them with solving it. We’ve seen them concentrating, as well.”
Lillian Greene is part of the Rubik’s Cube club Aloha Huber Park Elementary in Beaverton, May 2024 (KOIN) A Rubik’s Cube solved at Aloha Huber Park Elementary in Beaverton, May 2024 (KOIN) Rubik’s Cubes at Aloha Huber Park Elementary in Beaverton, May 2024 (KOIN) A Rubik’s Cube in action at Aloha Huber Park Elementary in Beaverton, May 2024 (KOIN)
The little Rubik’s Cube — a staple of 1980s culture — teaches patience, persistence and problem solving skills. And the kids can tell.
“I like learning new things and this actually helps your brain work,” said student Lillian Greene.
Her classmate Brinson Richards said, “We’re learning algorithms and a little bit of math. And also, it gives you more brain cells and powers your brain.”
No matter how old the player is or how many times they’ve done it, it’s always a challenge to solve a Rubik’s Cube.
“There are still two or three cubes in that desk that I still haven’t figured it out,” Rodriguez said.
But when it gets figured out it is a rewarding payoff.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
