Mobile Application Development students take home top prize at fifth annual Ford Innovation Showcase

The 2025 St. Clair College Prize in Innovation, given to the second-place team, along with a $2,000 cash prize, went to ‘The Biomeds.’ The team was comprised of five students in the Biomedical Engineering Technology – Equipment and Devices program, including Narjis Sharifi, Raman Deol, Al-Awani Abdullah, Dawood Koria and Nadia Santana.

They created a device which alerts sleepwalkers to help keep them safe and give them independence.

The 2025 Saints Prize in Innovation, given to the third-place team, along with a $1,500 cash prize, was awarded to St. Clair College Advertising for their idea, ‘Hockey Rink App.’ The team was made up of four students in the Advertising and Marketing Communications Management program, including Lizzie Marion, Nathan Triolet, Elliot Smith and Kayla Kwiatkowski.

The idea, which the students pitched earlier this year at the NHL Innovation Competition, was to create a multi-screen experience to draw new fans to the National Hockey League.

For the first time ever at the Ford Innovation Showcase, spectators were also brought in on the judging for the inaugural ‘Crowd Choice Award,’ sponsored by LiUNA local 625.

‘The Biomeds’ and ‘Concrete Munchers,’ featuring members of the Concrete Canoe Club, tied for the most crowd votes to share the award, along with a $1,000 cash prize.

The Ford Innovation Showcase was sponsored by Ford Motor Company, St. Clair College Alumni Association, Student Representative Council, CenterLine, InPlace, We-Tech Alliance, Parallel 42, LiUNA local 625 and the Windsor International Film Festival.

The event also featured a keynote address from Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Ryan Donally, who spoke about many things, including the need for innovation in a time of economic uncertainty.

Pat Papadeas, the Director of Academic Operations, was the lead organizer for the showcase, along with The Genesis Experiential Learning and Career Centre.

Papadeas said it was an emotional day for the students and their families in attendance, where the winning teams were overcome with tears of joy.

“The Ford Innovation Showcase was a tremendous success and a proud moment for St. Clair College. Our students demonstrated exceptional innovation, technical expertise, and problem-solving – showcasing the real-world skills they’ve gained through hands-on learning,” said Papadeas. “The energy, creativity, and professionalism on display truly impressed our industry partners and reaffirmed the vital role our graduates will play in shaping the future.”