A teacher at Burnside State High School has been recognised as one of Australia’s most inspiring teachers in the 2022 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards. 

Adrian Casten is one of only 10 winners selected for the inaugural Early Careers Teaching Award, shortlisted from more than 400 educators.

With a background as a mechanical engineer, Adrian gives his Burnside State High School students a flying start in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) by establishing unique courses in aviation and using drones.

 Deeply committed to advancing STEM education, Adrian’s engaging programs have earned Burnside State High School recognition as a leader in this field throughout Australia as one of only a few schools globally who offer similar courses.

When Adrian joined Burnside, STEM subjects attracted low student numbers. With his expertise and drive, the school now boasts a dedicated STEM Drone Engineering Makerspace where students design, build and fly drones and became the first in Australia to introduce a Certificate III in Aviation – Remote Pilot for their students.

On Friday 22 July Adrian received $10,000 in recognition of his outstanding achievements, to go towards professional development and mentoring.

“I am still amazed and humbled to have received the Commonwealth Bank Teaching Award,” said Adrian. “As a teacher I am proud to be recognised for developing project-based subjects that promote an understanding of STEM industries in particular Engineering.  This award will go a long way to supporting these subject and leverage interest from the Engineering community.”

 “As a Fitter and Turner and Engineer by trade I felt very unprepared leaving school and that is something that clearly hasn’t changed, as STEM university courses still have a significant dropout rate. If I can encourage, inspire and most importantly educate, providing students with a foot in the door to an industry that is only growing with time, then I have succeeded.” 

Run in partnership with Australian Schools Plus, the Awards recognise the amazing contribution teachers and school leaders make, and is the largest national program to acknowledge excellence in education.