Parsippany Cube Club: Solve puzzles and build community

PARSIPPANY – The Parsippany Cube Club has formed a vibrant and unique community. Founded by local enthusiast and educator Anikait Sota, this club has become a cornerstone of STEM and community engagement for children in our city. The story of the Parsippany Cube Club is one of community spirit and giving back.

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, local student Anikait Sota began sharing his passion for cube-solving with other students over Zoom. To mitigate the impact of the pandemic, Anikait charged a small fee, 100% of which was donated to the Parsippany Food Pantry. These online meetings quickly gained popularity, bringing people of all ages together to learn and share the joy of solving the iconic puzzle.

The club’s mission is to give back to the community, and it donates to organizations like the Parsippany Food Pantry, which plays a vital role in supporting local families and providing essential food items to those in need. The club’s contributions helped keep the pantry running during a difficult time and highlighted the importance of community-focused support. By donating the proceeds from its classes, the club ensured that its love of dice rolling had a larger, meaningful impact on its neighbors. It has raised over $11,250 for charities across New Jersey.

One of the most exciting aspects of the club is watching students improve their solution times. Many new members start with an average solution time of over 2 minutes, but with practice and guidance from more experienced cube players, they often see dramatic improvements. It’s not uncommon for dedicated members to reduce their solution times to under a minute within a few weeks. Take student Raj Kumar, for example, who reduced his 3 x 3 time from 6 minutes to 30 seconds, to 26 seconds after five sessions. This progress is a testament to the club’s effective teaching methods and the supportive community it has fostered. The club teaches more than just basic 3 x 3, with instructors teaching a variety of cubes such as pyramids, slant cubes, and 4 x 4s.

As the club grows, plans are afoot to expand its reach and impact. Future initiatives include working with local schools and community centres to introduce more young people to cubing. The club also wants to host more significant competitions that attract participants from across the region.

The Parsippany Cube Club is offering a six-week summer program this summer with limited space. Students meet weekly to learn techniques, improve their solving times, or even learn the cube. The summer culminates with the annual summer camp, which runs daily from August 19-23. Registration is now open and can be accessed here. Those interested will be welcomed with open arms by the club. Volunteers and teachers are also accepted.

For more information, visit the club’s website (parsippanycubeclub.org) or email [email protected]. Join the Parsippany Cube Club today and become part of a community where every turn leads to discovery and lasting connections.