To solve this problem, we need to calculate the surface area of the given cube.

Steps to Solve:

1. Cube Basics:

   • A cube has 6 identical square faces.
   • The surface area of a cube is given by: $\text{Surface Area} = 6 \times (\text{side length})^2$

2. Plugging in Values:

   • The side length of the cube is $7 \, \text{yd}$.
   • Substituting into the formula: $\text{Surface Area} = 6 \times (7)^2$

3. Calculations:

   • $(7)^2 = 49$
   • $6 \times 49 = 294$

Final Answer:

The surface area of the cube is: $\boxed{294 \, \text{yd}^2}$

Would you like a detailed explanation of how surface area relates to other prisms?
Here are five related questions for you to consider:

1. How is the surface area formula different for a rectangular prism?
2. What is the relationship between volume and surface area in a cube?
3. How would the surface area change if the side length doubled?
4. How do we calculate the surface area for non-cubical solids like cylinders?
5. Why does a cube have the smallest surface area for a given volume compared to other shapes?

Tip: Always double-check whether a prism is a cube or rectangular, as it changes the calculations!