HAES TECHNICAL AWARENES FAIR 2001
By Noe Dorestant, E.E.
On Sunday, June 3rd, 2001 the Haitian-American Association of Engineers and Scientists presented in collaboration with (Morningside Elementary, DERM, FIU and HAYOT) its annual technical awareness fair. Our main purpose was to share with the audience our knowledge on the environment, we also intended to entertain with engineering and practical scientific presentations, to challenge and exercise everyone minds present.
HAES's Chairman, Noe Dorestant moment after officially opening the Tech Fair, Principal Josette Paris presenting her keynote speech to the assembled audience gathered in the Morningside Elementary media center.
The youngest of the Haitian-American students were there as well to listen in, so they too would not miss the main event, the rocket launch scheduled for the end of the day.
Haitian Chemical Engineer, Marc Laurent setting up his computer for his presentation on the environment (Treatment of trash to generate electricity).
The event took place under a mostly sunny blue sky, and partially cloudy day at Morningside Elementary school, located at 6620 NE 5th avenue, in Morningside near Little Haiti section, a melting pot community of majority Haitians-Americans, Americans, Hispanics etc. We chose to hold the fair at Morningside Elementary for the third year in a row for a number of reasons. First of all because it is an international school with very young multilingual talented students, secondly because it has the first and only Haitian-American woman school Principal in Dade county, thirdly because of the diversity in ethnic background and cultures of the student body, fourthly because of the quality of the education provided, which exposed the students at a very early age to science by getting them involved to science fair project, which HAES members had the opportunity to judge two years in a row, finally the old and historic school architecture was very attractive and could easily take one back in time when architect built spacious, strong and beautiful houses with elegant courtyard, a historical relic of Morningside past.
A view of the Mornigside elementary architecture. Seated are: Teacher and grandmother Esthomene Dorcelly of North Miami Beach Oak Grove elementary accompanied by her two grandsons.
Chemical Engineer Marc Laurent made the first presentation on Waste management, during which he gave an overview of trash collection in a metropolitan area, the process of sorting out the garbage to group plastic, metal and regular trash that could be burn to produce electricity. He went over the makeup of the plant, its important component such as boilers and turbines. To conclude he covered the end result, the amount of steel, plastic and electricity generated as a result of a scientific process of trash collection in Dade and Broward county Florida.
Haitian Chemical Engineer and HAES member, Marc Laurent making his presentation on Solid Waste management.
Retired Haitian Civil Engineer of the World Health organization and HAES member Guy Felix made his presentation on environmental health management. In which he covered the different health hazard that one could be exposed to due to an unhealthy environment, starting with inadequate housing, lack of ventilation, misuse of chemical, noise pollution. He also covered the negative role of underdevelopment or over development on the health of individuals. He concluded that humanity must find a balance way for all to share a healthy environment.
Haitian retired World Health Organization Engineer and HAES member, Guy Felix making his presentation on Environmental Health Management.
Haitian born Geologist, Jean Claude Poix made his presentation on the cause of water pollution in Port-au-Prince, Haiti based on some study he had made as part of his thesis. He identified several corporate as part of the source of the problem. The lack or non existence of construction code enforcement in Haiti. The construction of houses in or near water way or over water bed that provides water to the metropolitan area, lack of sanitation and education on the role of the Haitian citizen to protect and manage its water resources. He predicted that unless Haitians take immediate action to resolve these problems, Port-au-Prince will face great difficulties with unhealthy water but also a lack of water period, to provide to its citizens. He also gave a video tape overview of the role of a geologist and example of what they do during a day work in the outdoors.
Haitian born Geologist, Jean Claude Poix making a presentation on the cause of water pollution in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
A Haitian student and member of the upward bound/Biotrac program of the Miami Museum of Science reacting to the lack of sensitivity to resolve the water pollution problem.
There was a small break for refreshment, where most were treated to Haitian soda and pate. Then it was time to go see the rocket launch prepared by HAES treasurer board member/mechanical Engineer Max Massac. To have the honor to push the key to launch the rocket one had to answer the question. What is the closest planet to earth? Interestingly it was the smaller student in the crowd who gave the answer first. I was later told, that this young boy admonished his mother by saying: "I am not living until I see the rocket launch!" He was there when the fair opened at noon and was still there at 5 pm for the rocket launch. Not only did he get the chance to see it, he also had the distinct privilege to be a part of the action.
Under supervision the youngest student attending the rocket launch gets the opportunity to launch, just because he had the right answer to the question of mechanical Engineer Max Massac for. what is the closest planet to earth?
The youngest get some help from the old to get the rocket to launch after several unsuccessful attempt at activating the launch key. We were even consider scratching the launch as times was running out.
After such excitement we were now entering the topic of solar energy, presented by the HAES Chairman, Electrical/Computer Engineer/HAES Chairman of the board Noe Dorestant. The main focus was to consider solar energy as an alternative source of energy, particular in non-developped country such as Haiti, where the sun-light is abundant and fuel scarce and expensive. The audience was able to verify that the solar cooker in display had indeed cooked to satisfaction a covered tight pot of vermicelli. Another participant was able to activate the switch to turn a solar battery powered light kit, which was donated by Mr. Knight Graham of Biodes England. The basic notion of how solar power works and how it is converted to electricity to power solar radio, submersible water pump, was explained. The audience had some Haitians medical doctors (AMHE), who were very interested in the use of solar power in rural section of Haiti where there is no electricity. The use of battery to store electricity harnessed during sunny day was introduced as a backup solution for night and less sunny days. Finally the use of solar cookers was presented to the medical doctors as a tool to help warm water to disinfect already used medical equipment. We concluded by saying that Haitians should be proactive in providing alternative solution to their own energy problem, by so doing help Haiti resolve at least at the household level the dependence on expensive fuel to generate electricity that is often not forthcoming or reliable.
The President of the Association of Haitians medical doctors living abroad/Association des Medecins Haitiens vivant a l'etranger (A.M.H.E), Dr. Yves Jodesty and Haitian Agronomist, Mr.Pierre Saint Clair, the Biotrac Project Director of the Miami Museum of Science, Mr. James Abdullah, Mrs. Margaret Armand and other tech fair participants look on, listen and asked questions while Engineer Noe Dorestant made the solar power presentation.
Solar power display made of solar panel, solar cooker, inverter, solar powered radio and light, submersible pump and hand writen instruction provided years ago by the Boyer family, on how to make your own solar cookers out of cardboard, black metal plate, aluminium foil and transparent plastic or glass.
The audience was still very alert, after almost four hours of presentation, the interest and the quest for knowledge was self evident.
The GIS presentation was another topic of interest. The three presenters conveyed the message on the usefulness of the geographic information system in the planning and development of a community. Little Haiti was used as a primary example, and Haiti was used as a second example. The public is advised to get familiar with the GIS system, so they know what is already on the data base system that could better help everyone make the right decision on a given project.
GIS presenters L-R: Electrical Engineering Student/HAES coordinator, Olivier Jean Baptiste, Industrial Engineer/HAES Vice Chairman Marc Antoine Leveille, Architect/HAES member at large Gladys Durand.
Haitian Computer Engineer Coordinator, Serge Joseph made the last presentation on careers in computers. He emphasized that in this day in age that no one should avoid the use of computers. The information age is here to say and we better get use to it. He outlined the many type of degrees one can get in computer science and computer engineering. He also stressed on the difference in a degree in Computer Science versus one in Computer Engineering. He reiterated the need for continuing education and self improvement even at the individual level in the comfort of one's home. With a set of computers, he adds: one could learn almost anything.
Computer Engineer/HAES member at large Serge Joseph making his presentation on careers in computers.
To end the day in beauty, the HAES version of the TV game JEOPADY that we have renamed JEPOTECH years ago, was redesigned this year with a new set of questions and images covering: math, history, language, science and engineering. The final JEPOTECH board was assembled the morning of the fair with the help of Mrs. Nadine Patrice, President of Operation Green Leaves, Mr. Herb Balfour of DERM and a Cuban lady, who had volunteered to help with her daughter students. The end result is what you see below in the picture.
An FPL Team supervisor of Haitian descent, Biologist Gary Avin pointing at the picture of Robert C. DeLarge, a congressman of South Carolina whose mother was mulatto and of Haitian descent. DeLarge was elected to to the US congress in 1870 during the reconstruction era after the American civil war. DeLarge during his short life of 31 years, he fought tirelessly for land reform and land distribution to empower the poor, he struggled for civil right protection and work hard for equal education. After his term in congress, he continued to serve the people as the Mayor of Charleston.
Everyone wanted to play, but we could only had three players, we improvised to create a balance game of two men and two women. The game Jepotech went on with a great deal of excitement. To the point that the Chairman Noe Dorestant, had to set some strong guidelines, restricting the parents to get involved in shouting or murmuring answers to their son or daughter player. We also had to enforce the policy of non-discrimination against either the old, who knew too much from experience and the very young who only knew so much, since they were still in the process of learning. It turned out to be a wonderful democratic experience, where everyone turns out to be winners, just simply for particpating in the process.
The 2001 version of the of the HAES game Jepotech was redesigned by HAES Chairman Noe Dorestant. Four participants had the opportunity to answer questions on history, mathematics, languages, hygiene, science and engineering. At the end of the game, although there were supposed to be only three winners, we decided to make all four winners, since the HAES treasurer, Engineer Max Massac had four solar powered radios to give away. As you can see everyone is happy, none more than Argronomist Pierre Saint Clair, who had more answers right than everyone else. That is why they say, experience counts for a lot.
We hope by presenting to you on the Internet the process of this Tech fair exercise, that you have learned as well. Even if you did not have the chance to be there with us the day of the event. We hope that that this documentary cataloging this event will be viewed and served as a catalyst for change. To encourage and prompt to action by reasonable and proven examples, that one or a group could incorporate and emulate to improve everyone's live in the community in which they reside. (May it be in the US, Haiti or elsewhere.)
HAES members and supporters posing for a souvenir picture to mark the completion of HAES Technical Awareness Fair 2001.
Written and documented by HAES Chairman Noe Dorestant on 6/25/2001. All pictures were taken and provided
by Noe Dorestant as a token of his contribution to help promote the community. All rights reserved 2001.
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