2024 TASITE/ACS Digital Technologies Primary Educator of the Year

Brett, winner of the 2024 TASITE/ACS Primary Digital Technologies Educator of the Year Award, is a dedicated and innovative leader in STEM education. As a classroom teacher and Director of GreenSTEM Education, he has transformed opportunities for young people across Tasmania, particularly in rural and low-socioeconomic communities, ensuring that all students can access authentic, inspiring pathways in digital technologies.

Central to Brett’s impact is his commitment to equitable access. Through Greenpower Tasmania, students design and race electric vehicles, developing creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. He also runs lunchtime and after-school programs, including Code Club and an all-girls STEM initiative, providing a safe and inclusive space where students—especially girls—can engage meaningfully with engineering, robotics, and digital technologies before self-confidence in these areas typically declines. His early intervention programs, which include FIRST LEGO League, F1 in Schools, and Greenpower Goblin class electric cars, have re-engaged students and inspired new enthusiasm in STEM learning.

Brett’s leadership extends beyond his classroom. He mentors teachers, hosts professional development workshops, and coordinates moderation days to strengthen teaching practice statewide. As the driving force behind the North West Coast FIRST LEGO League, Brett has grown the competition from thirteen teams in 2023 to twenty-two teams in 2024. Plans for 2025 will see forty teams gathering at the Burnie Arts Centre, creating a large-scale community event where schools, families, and businesses come together in celebration of student achievement in digital technologies.

As Director of GreenSTEM Education, Tasmania’s first STEM-focused charity, Brett also volunteers at free workshops with UTAS, Children’s University, and STEM Unlimited. These programs, from Take Off! to Mini Maker-X and robotics clubs, give children hands-on experiences in digital technologies that build resilience, creativity, and problem-solving skills. His Cardboard Superheroes workshop with Waratah-Wynyard Council merges engineering, design thinking, and imagination, further extending the reach of STEM learning across the community.

Brett’s innovative approaches have brought national recognition. His classroom programs align with the Australian Curriculum and Tasmanian STEM Framework principles, while his teams have achieved success at state and national FIRST LEGO League competitions. His contributions were also recognised when he was named the Tasmanian Primary STEM Teacher of the Year in 2023 before taking out the 2024 award.

Through his vision, creativity, and relentless commitment, Brett is creating lasting change in how students and educators experience digital technologies in Tasmania—making him a truly deserving recipient of this award.