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Posted on February 7th 2013
Rubik’s Record
On 21st November a group of 9 Harris City Academy students across Years 7 to 10 endeavoured to take part in a record breaking event and take their place in the Guinness Book of Records.
After enduring stifling trains and bustling crowds we finally arrived at the renowned O2 Venue at 10am. The maths convention was spread across a large open plan inside the tent and numerous puzzling challenges were dotted around the room. As interesting as they were the main challenge was a world record attempt for the most people completing the Rubik’s Cube simultaneously.
Blasting sound systems livened up the atmosphere with ‘Gangnam Style’ and under scrutinising eyes the National Junior Champion solved the multi-coloured puzzle in less than 10 seconds for inspiration.
Arranged into different groups by our free bright smurf-like beanies we began to crowd the designated area at 12pm. A colossal flat screen told us how many had arrived and once there were enough people the battle against time commenced. A Guinness World Record adjudicator wished us the best of luck, counted down and set us off.
Once we had completed our random cube, helpers came round to scan our individual codes which helped to count how many people had solved it. We all managed to complete it within 6 minutes. After solving our own cubes we were able to help pupils from other school standing around us but without touching their cubes. After 30 minutes we were asked to stop and return the cubes.
After a lengthy nail-biting period the adjudicator announced 1414 people that day had completed the cube simultaneously within the 30 minute period. ‘We are the champions’ chorused around the Arena and everyone cheered for the charity DePaul UK that we had fundraised for and last but certainly not least our maths teachers for bringing us a fun-packed day.
Michaela James
10SS
