What does a Rubik’s Cube have to do with science and engineering?
A lot, apparently.
On Saturday, middle school students from more than 40 schools in D.C., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Delaware will compete for educational grants of up to $1,000 during the USA Science & Engineering Festival on the National Mall.
The challenge to each team is to solve 25 Rubik’s Cubes collectively in the fastest amount of time. It’s part of the You CAN Do The Rubik’s Cube program, in which more than 1,600 schools and hundreds of after-school programs in all 50 states are enrolled.
Larry Bock, the festival’s executive director, said the Rubik’s Cube teaches math and life skills.
“This inaugural science festival … takes something as seemingly every day as the Rubik’s Cube puzzle, and highlights the technical sophistication in tangible and relevant ways,” he said.
The You CAN Do The Rubik’s Cube tournament will begin at 1 p.m. on the National Mall. At 3:30 p.m., Erno Rubik will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award.
