Pre-Engineering students recognized for innovation at UM-Dearborn showcase

Release Date
PIPE 2025
Three of HFC pre-engineering director Dr. Hassan Mohseni Nameghi’s (center) students earned top recognition at the PIPE 2025 Showcase, which was held at UM-Dearborn. From L-R: HFC pre-engineering instructor Marina Terterian, HFC student Benjamin Steffke, Nameghi, HFC student Zein Serhan, and HFC student Rami Assi. Photo courtesy of UM-Dearborn.

Five student teams from HFC’s Introduction to Engineering class presented their semester projects at the inaugural Promoting Innovation in Project-Based Education (PIPE) 2025 Showcase, a regional event hosted by the University of Michigan-Dearborn College of Engineering & Computer Science on December 5.

PIPE 2025 highlighted the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network motto of Curiosity, Connections, and Creating Value by bringing together first-year engineering students, faculty, and industry partners to celebrate hands-on learning through design and entrepreneurship.

Under the guidance of HFC’s pre-engineering faculty, including HFC pre-engineering director Dr. Hassan Mohseni Nameghi and HFC pre-engineering instructor Marina Terterian, the students spent the Fall 2025 semester identifying community needs, conducting patent searches, creating design specifications, and fabricating functional prototypes using Arduino sensors, machining, and 3D-printing.

“Their work was featured alongside projects from UM-Dearborn's engineering courses, giving HFC students the opportunity to present to faculty, engineering professionals, and KEEN-affiliated partners,” said Nameghi.

This year’s HFC cohort showcased diverse solutions targeting safety, accessibility, and quality of life. Two HFC pre-engineering projects earned top recognition:

  • Smart Light System for Seniors
  • Automated Pet Feeder

Smart Light System for Seniors

HFC students Rami Assi and Zein Serhan developed an intelligent home-lighting system designed to support elderly individuals in accessing light at nighttime. Their prototype integrated ambient-light sensors, motion detection, and an infrared sensor to activate lights. Judges praised the device’s practical application, clean design, and strong engineering justification.

“The idea of the smart light system for seniors came from collaboration between team members,” noted Assi. “Most of the ideas came from research of similar systems. We put all the ideas together and chose the lighting system because we found it to have more meaning as it would solve a real-world problem. Many people have a senior relative who might benefit from a system like this.”

It took approximately four weeks to create the lighting system.

“When we started this project, all I was aiming for was something that worked,” said Assi. “Overall, I was shocked that we received recognition, but I’m happy about it. I learned a lot from this project, and I hope to apply that in future projects.”

Automated Pet Feeder

HFC student Benjamin Steffke designed a microcontroller-based automatic pet feeder with precisely-timed dispensing and a compact mechanical system. The design centered on reliability for busy pet owners and demonstrated thoughtful integration of electronics, 3D-printed components, and user-friendly controls.

“The idea came from a daily source of confusion in my house, where everyone is asked at least once a day if they fed the dogs, and the dogs are asking for food,” said Steffke.

The pet feeder can also be used with cats.

“You can use any dry pet food for any animal,” said Steffke. “You can adjust the feeding interval and amount to suit your pet’s needs. You also have the choice of two feeding rotors for different-size pet food.”

It took Steffke 40 hours to make the pet feeder.

“The best part of making this machine was creating the anti-jam pieces to make it work reliably. Initially, it would jam nearly every use, so getting that fixed was very satisfying,” he explained. “I enjoyed the thorough questions from the judges about every aspect of the machine. I liked explaining the purpose and intention of every part of the design. I can’t wait to see where engineering takes me.”

A strong showing from HFC

Nameghi expressed great pride in his students’ accomplishments.

“The five student teams represented HFC with professionalism and creativity,” he said. “Projects included consumer-assistive devices, environmental monitoring tools, and smart-home solutions, all of which are aligned with the KEEN mindset of designing with empathy and value creation.”

Students presented posters that outlined the engineering design process and the steps they used to turn ideas into functional prototypes, demonstrated their prototypes in action, and engaged with faculty, industry guests, and fellow engineering students.

“I am amazed by the expression, ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ If our students are shining at colleges, at universities, and in the nation, it is through the collective efforts of all of our systems in place, from registration to advising to class instruction and all college support services. I am humbled and proud to serve and work in such a great community,” said Nameghi.

A growing partnership with UM-Dearborn

For years, there has been a strong collaboration and partnership between HFC's pre-engineering and UM-Dearborn's engineering program, which already cooperate in many ways:

  • HFC pre-engineering students visit UM-Dearborn labs on a regular basis.
  • HFC students participate in “Senior Design Day” presentations at UM-Dearborn.
  • HFC students participate in club activities at UM-Dearborn.
  • HFC students attend outreach events.
  • HFC pre-engineering faculty attend UM-Dearborn engineering faculty workshops, especially those organized under KEEN.

Through the Learn4ward guaranteed transfer option, students at HFC can earn an associate degree and then seamlessly transfer to UM-Dearborn to complete their bachelor’s degree. Students who sign up for Learn4ward have access to many resources and activities at UM-Dearborn while enrolled at HFC:

  • You may register for select UM-Dearborn classes before graduating from HFC.
  • You have free access to recreational facilities, athletic events, and cultural events at both HFC and UM-Dearborn.
  • You have free access to key library resources, research, and academic support at HFC and UM-Dearborn.
  • You have free career support services at both HFC and UM-Dearborn to assist with jobs, internships, and co-curricular experiences.

The success of PIPE 2025 Showcase reiterates that strong connection between HFC and UM-Dearborn.

“This PIPE Showcase adds another layer to that cooperation by bringing together students, faculty, and industry partners on shared ground and giving first-year HFC engineering students a chance to present their ideas and prototypes at a university-level engineering expo,” said Nameghi.

"We are grateful to the Kern Family Foundation for providing funding to support PIPE,” said UM-Dearborn CECS Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education Dr. Brahim Medjahed. “This inaugural event brings together students and faculty from both the CECS and HFC to showcase the breadth of innovative, project-based educational practices across the two institutions. PIPE highlights our shared commitment to educating future engineers who are equipped with a mindset that emphasizes discovering problems worth solving through curiosity, making interdisciplinary connections, and creating meaningful, impactful value for society."

For more information about HFC’s Pre-Engineering program, contact Nameghi at 313-317-1746 and hnameghi@hfcc.edu.