Interlake Puzzle Club hosts its meetings in the testing center on Mondays, biweekly. During this time, the club engages with a variety of logic, word, and number puzzles, educating their members about the plethora of puzzles one can solve and promoting collaborative problem-solving. Officer Rick Zhou, a current junior at Interlake, states that “Puzzle Club began this year, so we’re trying hard to stay alive as a club.”
The vibe in Puzzle Club is one of organized chaos, created, according to Rick, as a “relaxing place for people to just chill.” Meetings often begin with an introduction of a type of puzzle, from the most ubiquitous, to the most obscure kinds – each meant to provoke solutions with the limited information provided. Founder Jai Mukherjee, also a junior at Interlake, explains how afterwards, “we like to let them work on a series of puzzles based on the kind taught in the meeting.” Members are given the opportunity to wrap their minds around the puzzles provided by the officers, incentivized with a tempting snack for their efforts. Puzzle club offers a space where students can participate in club activities or do their own activities as they please.
Jacob Thomas, a freshman at Interlake and member of the Puzzle Club, states that “the Puzzle Club has helped me be more open to alternative methods of problem solving,” which translates very well to solving everyday issues in his life. Members of Puzzle Club are encouraged to think creatively and look at problems from many different perspectives. In addition to this, when students work together as a team to find answers, they develop stronger communication skills, collaboration, and awareness. As they build confidence and develop their openness as individuals, they are better equipped to make informed decisions as human beings.
The Interlake Puzzle Club created the puzzle hunt for the I2MC (Interlake Invitational Math Competition), and it became the most attended mini event, attracting 40 of the 100 middle school students who participated, attracting more students than both other mini events. Zhou reflected “collaborating with I2MC was definitely our proudest moment of the year so far. To see all those students come together and appreciate the diversity of puzzles we presented was heartwarming.”
Events like the puzzle hunt have shown that the club has the potential to stimulate a broader audience and promote a sense of camaraderie through an appreciation for deep and critical thought. The Interlake Puzzle Club is one of a kind. It serves as a reminder that learning doesn’t have to be limited to the typical school routine. Sometimes, the greatest opportunity for growth comes from simply pondering problems together.