Herman Rijken - Round 1, 2018 Champion

Ensuring that distance is no barrier to learning ICT skills

As a high school teacher in Far North Queensland, Herman Rijken believes that all students should have the opportunity to learn ICT skills regardless of where they live.

An active member of the Queensland Society for Information Technology in Education (QSITE) Far North Queensland Chapter, Herman travels across the region to share his knowledge of robotics and coding and educational learning outcomes with fellow teachers.

Outside of the classroom, Herman mentors the Cooktown Robotics Club. His guidance and dedication to the students has seen them compete both nationally and internationally. In 2017, students competed in open robot competition, the Robogames, in San Francisco placing fourth in the junior 500g Sumo category. Thanks to Herman’s dedication, the club has secured funding for students to compete in the 2018 Robogames.

Herman teaches students about design thinking, electrical engineering theory, computer programming language, computer-aided design (CAD) software, 3D printing and metalwork. In November 2017 he provided robotics workshops to students at Laura State School, who went on to compete in the First LEGO league competition in Noosa.

Herman was awarded the 2018 Queensland-Cooper Hewitt Fellowship gaining an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity trip to New York to gain knowledge and experience that may further develop educational outcomes for Queensland. He was also recognised with the 2017 Far North Queensland Teacher of the Year Award and 2017 State Finalist for Queensland Teacher of the Year for his work on developing the ICT program at Cooktown State School and other regional schools.

As a Community Digital Champion, Herman will further foster ICT education in Far North Queensland by:

  • teaching students, teachers and parents about the benefits of learning ICT skills
  • providing regular workshops to teach students about robotics within the region
  • creating a website that assists others with designing competition robots
  • supporting the Cooktown Robotics Club to inspire young people to learn about robotics and provide them with an avenue to compete in competitions
  • planning international trips to design and create robots or software at international STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) competitions while allowing students to experience another culture
  • sharing educational resources and best practice ICT teachings with QSITE members.


Herman is nominated by: The Queensland Society for Information Technology in Education (Far North Queensland Chapter)

Ensuring that distance is no barrier to learning ICT skills

As a high school teacher in Far North Queensland, Herman Rijken believes that all students should have the opportunity to learn ICT skills regardless of where they live.

An active member of the Queensland Society for Information Technology in Education (QSITE) Far North Queensland Chapter, Herman travels across the region to share his knowledge of robotics and coding and educational learning outcomes with fellow teachers.

Outside of the classroom, Herman mentors the Cooktown Robotics Club. His guidance and dedication to the students has seen them compete both nationally and internationally. In 2017, students competed in open robot competition, the Robogames, in San Francisco placing fourth in the junior 500g Sumo category. Thanks to Herman’s dedication, the club has secured funding for students to compete in the 2018 Robogames.

Herman teaches students about design thinking, electrical engineering theory, computer programming language, computer-aided design (CAD) software, 3D printing and metalwork. In November 2017 he provided robotics workshops to students at Laura State School, who went on to compete in the First LEGO league competition in Noosa.

Herman was awarded the 2018 Queensland-Cooper Hewitt Fellowship gaining an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity trip to New York to gain knowledge and experience that may further develop educational outcomes for Queensland. He was also recognised with the 2017 Far North Queensland Teacher of the Year Award and 2017 State Finalist for Queensland Teacher of the Year for his work on developing the ICT program at Cooktown State School and other regional schools.

As a Community Digital Champion, Herman will further foster ICT education in Far North Queensland by:

  • teaching students, teachers and parents about the benefits of learning ICT skills
  • providing regular workshops to teach students about robotics within the region
  • creating a website that assists others with designing competition robots
  • supporting the Cooktown Robotics Club to inspire young people to learn about robotics and provide them with an avenue to compete in competitions
  • planning international trips to design and create robots or software at international STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) competitions while allowing students to experience another culture
  • sharing educational resources and best practice ICT teachings with QSITE members.


Herman is nominated by: The Queensland Society for Information Technology in Education (Far North Queensland Chapter)