BELLAIRE • MEMORIAL • RIVER OAKS • TANGLEWOOD • WEST UNIVERSITY

Solve Together

By Shaan Bhagia, age 17 | October 27, 2024

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Ruhaan Talreja, Faizan Khan, Shaan Bhagia, Saahib Sarai, Ashna Bhagia

CREATIVE AT EVERY TURN Shaan Bhagia, a junior at St. John’s, put together a team of friends and neighbors to help teach underprivileged kids the art of “cubing” (solving a Rubik’s Cube). The team behind Solve Together, from left: Ruhaan Talreja, Faizan Khan, Shaan Bhagia, Saahib Sarai, Ashna Bhagia; not pictured: Sania and Kal Shah.

On a hot summer afternoon at Camp Longhorn, several years ago, my campmate taught me how to solve a Rubik’s Cube. Lying in our bunks during quiet time, we twisted and turned layers of the cubes and memorized algorithms. I remember the pure joy I felt when I solved it independently for the first time. Since that afternoon over five years ago, cubing has become more than a hobby – it’s become a passion and a way to connect with others. I realized early on that cubing wasn’t just memorization; it was about patience, perseverance, and problem-solving. These skills have helped me in many aspects of my life, and I wanted to share that experience with others.

That’s why I started teaching students how to cube. I taught my first workshop over Zoom in 2020, when the presence of Covid loomed large. Instead of tuition, I asked for donations for UNICEF USA’s Covid-relief efforts. Over the years, I have continued to teach workshops for my school’s volunteer program and other nonprofits. This summer, I wanted to amplify my impact. I was lucky to gather a group of incredible volunteers and form a group called Solve Together. Our mission was simple: teach cubing to kids who might not otherwise have the chance to learn, focusing on underprivileged communities.

We partnered with nonprofits like Nehemiah Center and BakerRipley, where we held workshops. Each volunteer brought their best. Ruhaan led engaging games; Sania worked with students who needed extra help, while Kal focused on making students comfortable. Ashna helped the littlest and the oldest of learners. Saahib and Faizan pitched in to fill learning gaps. We ended the summer with a workshop at India House, a nonprofit community center, where we worked with over 50 students. Parents told us how much their kids enjoyed the sessions, and it was rewarding to see students’ engagement and curiosity.

Teaching kids to cube isn’t just about the puzzle; it’s about giving them confidence, teaching them to approach challenges with a positive mindset, and showing that they can achieve things they might not have thought possible.

Editor's note: For more on this topic, read Twisted Logic: The Rubik's Cube is back by Cheryl Ursin, from our Aug. 2021 issue.

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