2024 TASITE/ACS Digital Technologies Secondary Educator of the Year

Rob has been recognised with the 2024 TASITE/ACS Secondary Digital Technologies Educator of the Year Award for his outstanding, sustained contributions to the field of digital technologies education. His impact is felt at classroom, community, state, and national levels, where his work has consistently advanced teaching practice, student engagement, and teacher capacity development.

For more than 15 years, Rob has shared his expertise through professional learning in robotics and digital education, mentoring teachers across Australia and overseas. His international study at Tufts University’s Center for Engineering and Education Outreach brought global best practice into Tasmanian classrooms, enriching STEM education at both curriculum and extracurricular levels. Within Tasmania, his leadership has shaped senior secondary curriculum through his roles as Computer Science 3 Moderation Leader, Marking Coordinator, and critical friend in course development for both Computer Science 3 and Engineering Design 3.

Rob is also known for creating meaningful opportunities outside the formal classroom. In 2007, he founded SmartBots, an online robotics program that helped spread robotics education across Tasmania, reaching up to 100 students each year from more than a dozen schools. In 2017, he launched Devil Robotics with support from the University of Tasmania—an after-school program engaging students from grades 5–12 in robotics challenges that foster collaboration, engineering skills, and problem-solving. His coordination of the Devil Robotics exhibit at the Festival of Bright Ideas since 2018 has enabled students to showcase their work publicly, deepening both technical and communication skills.

An advocate for authentic learning, Rob champions student participation in competitions such as UNSW Programming, Young ICT Explorers, RoboCup Junior, FIRST LEGO League, PeCAN+ cybersecurity training, mathematics, and chess. He also leads the southern Tasmanian FIRST LEGO League competition, involving around 20 school teams annually, building a thriving culture of STEM engagement.

Rob’s classroom practice reflects continual innovation, from collaborative robot dance and game design exchange challenges to biomimicry projects in Engineering Design. His pioneering approaches to assessment—including peer review and interactive class visits—equip students with critical evaluation and feedback skills. Beyond the classroom, his co-authorship of two LEGO robotics books empowers young learners to design, create, and innovate, reinforcing his philosophy of student-centered learning.

Balancing teaching with consultancy for LEGO Education while undertaking a PhD, Rob has consistently ensured his students benefit from contemporary, industry-informed, and globally connected learning experiences. His vision, creativity, and commitment make him a worthy recipient of this award, and a leader in shaping digital futures for the next generation.