Desert Wind students in Rubik’s Cube competition at ASU-West

The Desert Wind Middle School Rubik’s Cube Club competed at ASU-West on Saturday as part of the 2016 Arizona Sci-Tech month of festivities.

DWMS competed against 31 other schools in team and solo competitions.

For the team competition, teams of eight students try for the best time to solve 25 cubes. DWMS had only seven students, and they solved all 25 cubes in 6 minutes and 11 seconds.

“Although this was the fastest time our students have ever completed this task, it was not quite good enough to get into the finals,” advisor Shannon Hull said.

Three DWMS students chose to compete in the solo competition. Seventh grader Jarom Hoopes solved his in 48 seconds. Seventh grader Shilin Cardenas solved it in 1:40. Eighth grader Shane Sexton completed his cube in 2:15.

“Being involved in the solo competition is a very daunting experience for our students,” Hull said. “We are so proud of how great they did and can’t wait to see how much they improve.”

The Rubik’s Cube Club is part of our 21st Century After School Program at Desert Wind.

“Even though I am the sponsor for this club, I still cannot solve a Rubik’s Cube, although the students are still trying to each me,” Hull said. “It is awesome for me to see how far these students have come in solving these complex puzzles, the algorithms and the combinations that they memorize are not easy; it is a lot more work than I ever thought.”

The event at ASU-West was DWMS Rubik’s Cube Club’s first competition. Hull said it was a learning experience and gave the students new strategies.

“The Tigers are now even more excited for more competitions that we can compete in and keep improving our times,” she said.