trevordayschool

4 3 1 2 Tom Cutrofello / Middle School Mathematics Teacher and Advisor My desk is a spot to give students one-on-one help with homework, test preparation, and inspiration for mechanical puzzles—which are ever present, begging to be explored and solved. This process dovetails perfectly with mathematics: one examines the problem and develops a strategy. The best "Aha!" moments are pure joy, especially when one has previously hit several Dead-End moments. 1. Last year, I showed five students the objective of one puzzle: Put three pieces together to form a 3x3x3 cube with some holes. Then, I headed to class. Fifty minutes later, they burst into the room, exasperated, and begged, "Show us!" / 2. The Twistys. The Redi, which came after the Rubik's Cube, is one of the easiest twisty puzzles ever! It's a good puzzle to explain a certain algorithm that's used in other, harder twisty puzzles. Solving a twisty requires pattern recognition, logic, and absolutely no luck. / 3. There's a wooden box puzzle called Mmmm Packing Puzzle. The object is to put four identical M-shaped pieces inside and then close the lid. This is a classic puzzle from Japanese puzzle master Hirokazu Iwasawa. I thought there was only one way to solve it. But recently, Eric J. '30 showed me his method. I watched his first steps, knowing that it wouldn't work. And then it did! Unquestionably, this ranks as the highlight of my school year. Now, I can't wait to show my puzzle friends Eric's novel method. / 4. The artwork. Last year, three students—in different classes and unbeknownst to each other— drew caricature portraits of me. This year, there are five or six more. I'm extremely flattered. My family loves them! 46 / TREVOR MAGAZINE SPRING 2024–25

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