The Rubik’s Cube is celebrating its 30th birthday this year!
In 1980, the Cube was introduced to America at a Hollywood event by Hungarian film star Zsa Zsa Gabor – the same year Ronald Reagan became president, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back raked in the biggest box office gross, Post-It Notes launched along with the Sony Walkman, and (ahem) the year I was born. Nearly one in every five people in the world has twisted, jumbled and enjoyed this immensely popular puzzle.
I have to admit I’ve never been able to solve a Rubik’s Cube. I adore a good puzzle, but this one always leaves me stumped! My husband, on the other hand, loves it. I bought him a Rubik’s Icon Cube at Barnes & Noble a few years back and he displays it proudly on his desk. Instead of the traditional bright colors, the Icon Cube features shades of black, silver and white and sits in its own little stand. Very sleek.
What’s new?
It’s no secret that the U.S. is falling behind in math and science. American students rank 21st in science and 25th in math compared with students around the world, putting us at a disadvantage.
Today the Rubik’s Cube is being used to teach important math concepts including area, perimeter, volume, angles, algorithms and enumeration, among many other geometry and algebra topics. The new “You CAN Do The Rubik’s Cube” program is designed to get the country’s youth engaged in math and science in a fun way!
What can you do?
- Youth: The new You CAN Do The Rubik’s Cube website features a downloadable step-by-step solution guide for unlocking the secrets to the 3×3 Rubik’s Cube. Online cube communities on Facebook, YouTube, and YouCanDoTheCube.com allow participants to share Rubik’s Cube experiences!
- Educators: Lesson plans with a math twist show teachers and youth leaders how to use the Rubik’s Cube as a memorization, sequencing, and problem solving tool. The You CAN Do The Rubik’s Cube solution guide and lesson plans have been designed to help educators engage youth with hands-on education activities and are aligned with standards set by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the Partnership for 21st Century Skills.
- Parents: After-school and weekend Rubik’s activities foster life lessons such as problem-solving, negotiation, and teamwork, and provide an interactive, tangible way for youth to learn fundamental math disciplines like fractions and measurement.
With the help of this new initiative, thousands of youths from schools, camps and after-school programs nationwide are accomplishing the unthinkable – solving the cube one fun twist at a time, while learning about algebra, geometry, and determination! For more information, and to learn how to bring the “You CAN Do The Rubik’s Cube” program to a local school or youth organization, visit YouCanDoTheCube.com.
WIN IT!
Three lucky readers will learn how to solve the world’s most famous puzzle! To enter to win a Rubik’s Cube along with a solution guide, please leave a comment telling me what you were up to in 1980. If you weren’t born yet, that’s okay! Me? I was in my mother’s womb for half that year, then had to evacuate our home in Corpus Christi due to the wrath of Hurricane Allen. Not that I remember, but I’ve been told. 😉
For extra entries:
- Subscribe to my feed by feed reader or email (or let me know if you already do).
- Follow me on Twitter (@OhMariana) and tweet about this giveaway (1X): Happy birthday, Rubik’s Cube! Enter to win a Cube, along with a solution guide – https://bit.ly/a5UvZs #RWNH (pls RT)
- Link to me in your sidebar or blog roll. Feel free to grab my button (at the bottom of the page).
The Rubik’s Cube folks are providing these prizes to my readers at no cost to me. Contest ends May 1st, 2010 11:59 pm EST. US entries only. One person per household may enter. Leave a separate comment for each entry & a valid email address. Winners, chosen at random, have 3 days to claim their prize.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page for a list of all my latest giveaways!
i was in the 1st grade
nannypanpan@sbcglobal.net
rss subscriber
Ok, so I don’t need a Rubik’s cube – but just had to say that you’re making me feel old here! In 1980 I turned 10 and was just starting middle school. 😉
My hubby can not only solve the traditional Rubik’s cube, but also the 4×4 and the 5×5 versions – the guy can’t pass by a ‘messed up’ Rubik’s cube without stopping to solve it. Yes, I married a nerd, lol!
.-= Deb – Mom of 3 Girls´s last blog ..If life is a rollercoaster, I think I’m ready to get off now! =-.
In high school trying to figure out the rubiks cube! 🙂
I wasn’t born til 4 years later! 🙂
I subscribe to you via email!
I was 9 years old, already a Beatles fan for a few years, and I remember hearing that John was killed that Dec. Still one of the most traumatic events ever for me.
Other than that, I was probably coloring in coloring books and fighting over sweets and what to watch on tv with my siblings.
Never could solve the cube without taking it apart.
Email subscriber.
Tweet https://twitter.com/brennaboo/status/12379398889 (twitter follower as well)
IN 1980 I WAS ONE YEAR OLD AND PROBABLY UP TO NOTHING
.-= Tiffany Pettey´s last blog ..Awesome bib set giveaway here =-.
SUB VIA EMAIL AND A READER
TWEETED THIS GIVEAWAY
https://twitter.com/SWAGBUCKSIGNUP/status/12379729448
UR BUTTON
https://tiffanybethgetsextraentries.blogspot.com/
In 1980, I turned 14 and started 9th grade! It was a wild year for me, my last year of jr high! Ah the memories…
bleatham(at)gmail.com
.-= shelly aka allysmama´s last blog ..UBP10 After Party =-.
email subscriber
bleatham(at)gmail.com
.-= shelly aka allysmama´s last blog ..UBP10 After Party =-.
follow on twitter and tweeted
https://twitter.com/sleatham1/status/12385395586
bleatham(at)gmail.com
.-= shelly aka allysmama´s last blog ..UBP10 After Party =-.
your button is on my sidebar
sweepnsave.blogspot.com
bleatham(at)gmail.com
.-= shelly aka allysmama´s last blog ..UBP10 After Party =-.
I was in college.
Email subscriber of yours.
I was raising 2 teens and no, the 3 of us never figured it out. LOL
I’m an email subscriber.
I was 3 years away from being born in 1980 🙂
.-= Vera´s last blog ..Review & Giveaway: "Alex Cross’s TRIAL" by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo =-.
I subscribe by email
.-= Vera´s last blog ..Review & Giveaway: "Alex Cross’s TRIAL" by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo =-.
I was 9 in 1980 and probably spent at least some time that year trying to solve a Rubik’s cube- I remember them being highly coveted toys when they came out! Otherwise I was going to swim practice and riding bikes with friends.
I subscribe to your feed. 🙂
Following you on Twitter as stlyhu and tweeted the giveaway here: https://twitter.com/stlyhu/status/12396264099
I was in college.
Following you on twitter and retweeted.
In 1980 I was 4 (until I turned 5 late in the year) and I was playing with baby dolls and Barbies.
.-= Mami2jcn´s last blog ..CSN Stores Giveaway =-.
I’m an email subscriber.
.-= Mami2jcn´s last blog ..CSN Stores Giveaway =-.
I follow you on Twitter and tweeted:
https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/12399035847
.-= Mami2jcn´s last blog ..CSN Stores Giveaway =-.
I added your text link to my blogroll.
.-= Mami2jcn´s last blog ..CSN Stores Giveaway =-.
In 1980 I was 3 and awaiting a baby sister!
subscribe via email
following on twitter as @vhubler and tweeted https://twitter.com/vhubler/status/12400334764
I was married and taking care of a four yr. old and a one yr.old.
already an email subscriber
Back in the 1980’s I was into playing barbie in elementary school, loving the atari
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I’m an old timer; I was teaching in 1980. It was the year I met my husband.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
I subscribe via email.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
I was 10, like a few of the other comment writers. I also don’t need a Rubik’s Cube – though I’m sure my 10 yr old son would like one. Then again, the lil bugger is smarter than me at 10 than I was, so he’d solve it faster than I ever could. Oh, I never could. 🙂
.-= Matthew mmWine Horbund´s last blog ..Delicious White Wines From France =-.
I was setting up fund raising for the Multiple Sclerosis Society a disease my mother had
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
I am a subscriber by email.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
I was 10 years old I believe 5th grade having lots of fun in the good old day. I remember getting a rubik’s cube for christmas when I was younger lots of fun
shopannies@yahoo.com
.-= angi´s last blog ..Bret Michaels in hospital =-.
I was merely a twinkle in my parent’s eye as I wasn’t born until late 1981.
I was two and we were welcoming a new little sister into the world.
1980 was the year I was born too! On the hottest day of the year, I’m told.
I was in high school trying to solve Rubiks cube!
email subscriber
tweet https://twitter.com/phxbne/status/12462475236
In 1980 I was 8. I am awful with remembering what happened which year, but I’m sure I was having fun because I loved school.
I subscribe to your e-mails
In 1980 I had been out of college for a couple of years and was working at my first job as an electrical engineer. I still have my rubix cube and my 18 year old son still plays with it, but the color squares are starting to come off (after 30 years, I can see why) and I need to get him a new one.
I subscribe to your blog via the google reader.
I was up to school in 1980. I was about 5 years old,.
Subscribe to your email.
kibbles0905@yahoo.com
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..UGlee Pen Review =-.
Follow on twitter and tweeted
https://twitter.com/Sarafan2/status/12522456185
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..UGlee Pen Review =-.
Grabbed your button.
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..UGlee Pen Review =-.
In 1980 I was 4 years old. When I wasn’t attending preschool I was probably driving my parents crazy.
I am following you on Twitter and tweeted
https://twitter.com/talonsmom731/status/12545388721
I was 4 years old and probably riding my big wheel!
.-= Melissa Cleaver´s last blog ..*** REVIEW & GIVEAWAY *** Piggy Paint – The Safe, Natural Way to Pretty Up Those Piggies! =-.
I subscribe to your feed via google reader.
.-= Melissa Cleaver´s last blog ..*** REVIEW & GIVEAWAY *** Piggy Paint – The Safe, Natural Way to Pretty Up Those Piggies! =-.
https://twitter.com/melissaaggie98/status/12561680682
.-= Melissa Cleaver´s last blog ..*** REVIEW & GIVEAWAY *** Piggy Paint – The Safe, Natural Way to Pretty Up Those Piggies! =-.
I wasn’t even thought of yet in 1980.
In 1980 I was dancing!
Thank you. 🙂
In 1980 I was busy raising my 3 children and I bought a rubik’s cube for my oldest he never did solve it and it would be a great gift and memory for him
I was in year 5 of my job at a local hospital – working the front desk & minding the switchboard. I worked there for 22 years (eventually becoming the billing supervisor), so I have very fond memories of those early years!
I follow you in Twitter [4emsmom] & tweeted about this giveaway:
https://twitter.com/4emsmom/status/12595409659
I was in jr. high
I was a decade away from being born in 1980. Or alternatively, I was in 1980 having created a time machine sometime in our future, and decided to go to (or accidentally landed in) 1980.
In 1980 I was a SAHM with my little boy and little girl. It was a very good year. 🙂
I’m an email subscriber. Thanks!
HAPPY EARTH DAY EVERYONE!!!
I was in 2nd grade in 1980.
In 1980 I was 11 and I was playing with my Rubik’s Cube. It’s been awhile since I played with one, but I’m sure I can still solve it.
I was trying to find myself!
In 1980 I wasn’t born yet.
austma7@aol.com
I was 5 years old, and we bought a Rubiks cube!!
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
I wasn’t born yet, which is too bad. The 80’s seem awesome.
In 1980 I was a security guard for a large company who was secretly trying to solve the Rubik’s Cube on the midnight shift.
rss feed subscriber
I was single and living alone. I was taking Karate lessons.
Well, in 1980 I was two years old so I don’t remember!
.-= Katie´s last blog ..Stuff. =-.
I wasn’t born yet 🙂
I was 4, so I was probably watching Captain Kangaroo on tv.
I was only 4 years old and I was in preschool in 1980
.-= Jennifer Kasprzak´s last blog ..WHEN I REACH 50 FOLLOWERS …….. =-.
I subscribe via google reader
I have your blog button on my sidebar
.-= Jennifer Kasprzak´s last blog ..WHEN I REACH 50 FOLLOWERS …….. =-.
I wasn’t born yet, but made it into the 80’s, just barely!
in the 80’s I had 3 boys to raise
e-mail subscriber
I was raising my 3 sons in 1980.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
.-= Janet F´s last blog ..Friday Follow: A Celebration of Followers =-.
In 1980 I was roller skating and listening to disco!!
.-= joann downie´s last blog ..Summery Saturday!! =-.
Am a subscriber, and I love going to Corpus love the beach!!
.-= joann downie´s last blog ..Summery Saturday!! =-.
I am email subscribed.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I was born in November of 79 so I was just a newbie! But I played lots of Rubik in the years to come!
.-= Cori Westphal´s last blog ..Bounce House anyone? GIVEAWAY at Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House =-.
Tweet: https://twitter.com/coriwestphal/statuses/12896592653
.-= Cori Westphal´s last blog ..Bounce House anyone? GIVEAWAY at Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House =-.
I’m an email subscriber, coriwestphal at msn dot com.
I have your button: https://asahmlookingforadeal.blogspot.com
I was in my first year of High School .. oh the memories
Wasn’t alive in the 80s! I’m a 90s baby!
I was probably crawling around on the floor and drooling in 1980
I was in diapers! Thanks!
I was just a little kid!@
i was playing atari
i don’t remember but i was 6 years old
In 1980 I was just busy growing up…I was born in 1981 so 1980 was my childhood…so I was busy playing!
.-= Rachel D.´s last blog ..Last Chance to Win a Crate Full of Fresh Fruit =-.
I was born in Oct of 1980.
I subscribe to your feed
.-= Rachel D.´s last blog ..Last Chance to Win a Crate Full of Fresh Fruit =-.
I was in high school then college, ugh
Email subscriber
I have your button
.-= Rachel D.´s last blog ..Last Chance to Win a Crate Full of Fresh Fruit =-.
I follow you on Twitter and Tweeted! https://twitter.com/tobinsmommy08/status/13141627287
.-= Rachel D.´s last blog ..Last Chance to Win a Crate Full of Fresh Fruit =-.
Following on twitter
@cloud10277
Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/cloud10277/status/13141883233
I don’t think I was even imagined yet… I was born in 84. 🙂
I follow and tweeted https://twitter.com/Aerated/status/13144363378
I already subscribe via email. Thank you!
I was in the 4th grade & buggin’ my older brother 🙂
I was still in school. debsweeps4@yahoo.com
I was probably playing barbies. That’s all I did as a kid.
1980? Hmmm . . . I was approaching my “Terrible Twos”. I finally learned how to solve the cube last July.
.-= Sherwin F.´s last blog ..whntmprsflare: Happy birthday, Rubik’s Cube! Enter to win a Cube, along with a solution guide – https://bit.ly/a5UvZs #RWNH (pls RT) =-.
Following & Tweeted!
https://twitter.com/whntmprsflare/status/13168369031
I was in elementary school and trying not to be a geek with my faded jeans and big hair.
In 1980 I had just finished my tour of duty in the Army, started taking classes part time at a university as well as working part time. 😉
I was playing Atari and I did have a rubik’s cube!
I’m your FB fan
I follow you on twitter and I tweeted
https://twitter.com/contestrobyn/status/13179363695
I was taking care of my 5 children
I was in middle school.
I was not born yet, it would be two more years before I started life
i follow on twitter and tweeted https://twitter.com/mrstinareynolds/status/13190802917
i subscribe to your blog
I was doing gymnastics in high school.
idahomom (@) cox dot net is an email subscriber
https://twitter.com/idahomom7/status/13199122267
following
I was just a kid
In 1980, I was watching my then middle-school son solve the Rubik’s cube much faster than I ever could. Where did the time go?
I was probably playing soccer with my brother.
I’m already an email subscriber.
I wasn’t born yet, but my parents were getting ready to get married! 😉
tigpooh1516″at”yahoo”dot”com
I am following and tweeted:
https://twitter.com/tigpooh1516/status/13215415054
tigpooh1516″at”yahoo”dot”com
I subscribed via RSS
tigpooh1516″at”yahoo”dot”com
Ha, I was playing with a Rubik cube, of course 😉
.-= Dina´s last blog ..Audio Book Review and Giveaway: The Art of Choosing (Ends 5/16) =-.
Subscriber
.-= Dina´s last blog ..Audio Book Review and Giveaway: The Art of Choosing (Ends 5/16) =-.
https://twitter.com/aitmama/status/13224910568
blog roll
I was still in high school.
I was very, very young so I don’t remember.
I was in preschool!
Email subscriber.
I was toddling around as a little kid in 1980.
I subscribed by email.