When Tammi Rachels told me about the lending program from Rubik's Cube before Christmas, I couldn't wait for an opportunity to try it out. Well, one conversation led to another and I was able to collaborate with the AP geography teacher, Kyle Kester, from North Davidson High to give students a "Breakout" experience that was cross-curricular, utilized digital resources, and stretched students' critical thinking skills.
Tying to Curriculum Sure building a mosaic with 100 Rubik's Cubes is neat, but how is it relevant? We needed to make sure we were tying this activity to the curriculum. I put together a digital breakout using Google Sites and World Book Online with a focus on the life of Nelson Mandela. A Special Visitor Since most of the students don't know me, I introduced myself as the museum curator at the North Carolina Museum of History. I told them that I needed their help with a special project. I had the materials for a special display commemorating Nelson Mandela's 100th birthday, but I forgot the combination to the vault! I needed their help to crack the code before the museum director got there. Students were instantly engaged! World Book Online Only a handful of these students had used WBO before, so the first task was the crack the code for the username and password. Once in World Book Online, they had to research Nelson Mandela to answer the questions to unlock the vault. Students in groups of 2-3 worked collaboratively to read, research and solve the puzzles. Opening the vault! Once the first group finished the digital breakout, we were able to unlock the "vault" (a cardboard box labeled "vault") and retrieve the materials. Each group (after breaking out) received a bag of 7-8 Rubik's cubes with solutions. Each solution has a corresponding number of row and column. Once all the cubes were solved to match, students were then able to assemble the "big picture". Reflections
Teen Tech Week: After keeping the mosaic on display in the front office for a couple of weeks, we are going to give other students at NDHS an opportunity to participate during lunch for #TTW18. We hope to create the Mona Lisa! If you are interested in learning more about the Rubik's Cube lending program, check out: https://www.youcandothecube.com/
2 Comments
Kristi Allred
2/28/2018 06:06:20 pm
That is really cool! I had no idea you could do lessons with Rubik’s cubes.
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Shanna Leonard
3/1/2018 11:34:25 am
This is awesome! Thanks for sharing!
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