Haitian-American Association of Engineers & Scientists

Promoting Science, Engineering, and Technology for the benefit of all!

www.haiti-science.org/haes

HAES Journal Volume 1, Issue 2, Spring 2015 Page 1

Editorial Staff
Max E. Massac (Executive Editor)
Marc A. Leveille (Format Editor)
Serge Stiven (Graphics Editor)
EVENTS CALENDAR
May 17, 2015, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Monthly Meeting - Emerging
Engineering Opportunities
June 12, 2015, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Monthly Meeting - Energy
Development Options
July 17, 2015, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Monthly Meeting -
Environmental Challenges
Aug 14, 2015, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Monthly Meeting - Emerging
Technologies
Sep 12, 2015, 8:00 PM
The HAES 26th Anniversary
Jamboree Fundraiser
More Info
Milestone Reached: Clean Cooking for Haiti
by: Brady Luceno, Assistant Director, Project Gaia.
Chairman’s Message
Cooking with Ethanol in Haiti
Greetings to all, and welcome to our Spring
2015 edition of the HAES Journal! Hoping
everyone had a great start to the new year. We
enjoyed some very nice end of year celebrations in
2014, and I take this opportunity to again thank all
our members and supporters that contributed to Max E. Massac, P.E.
making them a success. The new year is shaping Chairman
out to be very eventful for us, with many projects
that we have been involved with at various
development phases coming to fruition.
Read More
In 2010 the HAES partnered with
Project Gaia and several other 2014 End Of Year Gala Recap
organizations to work on the by: Dir/Sec Serge J. Stiven, C.E., P.E.
implementation of various projects
relating to cooking with ethanol in On December 27, 2014, at the Coral Springs
Haiti. A significant milestone has Country Club, the 3rd annual HAES / TACAJ
recently been reached: POET, one of
End of the Year Gala took place. As guests
the world’s leading ethanol producers,
entered the beautifully adorned Main Dining
donated 12,000 gallons of Ethanol
Fuel for Cooking to Haiti Projects. Room of the Coral Springs Country Club, they
were treated to the classical and jazzy sounds of
Read More

The first 6,200 gallons of POET ethanol cleared
Haitian customs on December 31, 2014. The arrival
of this fuel is a milestone for the project, which is a
partnership between Project Gaia, Novogaz and
POET several years in the making. The partnership
Read More
The World’s Largest Solar Farm
by: Dir/Treasurer Charles E. Blot, M.S.E.E.
Those of us who have been paying attention to the
energy debate in the U.S. over the years have heard
the pros and cons of drilling for more oil and tapping
into the country’s natural gas reserves versus using
Read More
STEM Implies More Rigorous Science Background
by: Dir Marc Antoine Leveille, I.E., M.U.R.P.
The teaching and learning of science has long been
molded by the scientific method. The scientific
method has been instituted in the world-wide science
community to enable standardization of approaches to
Read More
Help Wanted:
Website Administrator - Contact haes@haiti-science.org More Details
Grant Writer - Contract - Contact haes@haiti-science.org More Details
Entrevue AIHC avec M. Paul Celicourt sur
l'instrumentation du lac Azuéi
By: Guy Joël, (Secrétaire de l'AIHC)
Quel aspect du projet est le plus innovateur?
(design, implémentation, déploiement, coût)
Le projet est conforme à ce qui est nécessaire: la
collecte de données in-situ et l'application de
modèles numériques en vue de a) d’obtenir une
couverture géospatiale (par opposition à un
élément de données recueillies à un point), b)
Read More
Haiti:
Megawatts and Millions: Chinese take-out?
by: Mr. Stuart Leiderman, Advocate for
Environmental Refugees and Ecological Restoration
Announcement of a contract for a big dam
project on the Artibonite, either a new one or a
renovation. But a quarter of a billion dollars for
only 32 megawatts of power? Can this be
correct?
Read More
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 Haitian-American Association of Engineers & Scientists
Promoting Science, Engineering, and Technology for the benefit of all!
www.haiti-science.org/haes

HAES Journal Volume 1, Issue 2, Spring 2015 Page 2

Chairman’s Message
Greetings to all, and welcome to our Spring 2015 edition of
the HAES Journal! Hoping everyone had a great start to the new
year. We enjoyed some very nice end of year celebrations in
2014, and I take this opportunity to again thank all our members
and supporters that contributed to making them a success. The
new year is shaping out to be very eventful for us, with many
projects that we have been involved with at various development
phases coming to fruition.
As can be seen, in this edition of the HAES Journal many
of the articles have a focus on energy and environmental topics,
with an emphasis on energy and environmental projects in Haiti,
such as the ethanol fuel for cooking alternative for Haiti, which
Project Gaia is spearheading, having reached some significant
milestones as their Haiti Manager Ms. Brady Locerno informs us
in her article.
A very interesting interview in French, which our
colleagues from AIHC, Association des Ingenieurs Haitiens au
Canada conducted with Ing, Paul Cellicourt that gives some good
insight into a project underway to use geospatial data acquisition
instrumentation to obtain data on Lake Azuaei, also known as
Etan Saumatre, which is undergoing some changes that are as of
yet not fully understood, and that are having significant impacts
on the surrounding areas.
The incredible growth in solar energy development is
highlighted in Eng. Charles Blot’s article. Major solar energy
projects throughout the world have come to fruition in recent
times. A major milestone for major solar energy to electricity
conversion in the U.S. is highlighted, and shows how committed
partnerships between the private sector and the government can
move renewable energy production to be competitive with
combustion based electrical power generation.
Another article with an interesting and important topic is
inspired by Environmentalist Stuart Leiderman, as he raises
questions surrounding a big dam project on the Artibonite river of
Haiti which is being funded by several countries, including
China. As many of my colleagues know, I am a proponent of
managing the waters of Haiti with the use of dams for providing
hydroelectricity, water for irrigation and human consumption,
and mitigation of flooding from storms. That said, the issues
raised by Mr. Leiderman are important to take into consideration
in the design and engineering of this and other dam construction
projects. If done properly, this should be a positive thing for Haiti
as stated by the Haitian Prime Minister Mr. Evans Paul and
others who have analyzed and facilitated this project.
Our agenda for this year includes the Tech Fair / STEM
Summit which Eng. Marc Antoine Leveille gives us a taste of in his
article. Also on the agenda are the Technical Conference series, the
General Membership meeting, the election of new Board members,
and the 2015 end of year celebrations. Please see the Events
Calendar for the planned dates and times.
The 25th Anniversary Jamboree Celebration fundraiser was a
great success. As can be seen in the pictures, many of our members
and supporters were in attendance to enjoy a wonderful evening
with good food, music, and camaraderie in celebration of the HAES
reaching it’s 25th year of existence. Eng Ronald Colas, and Eng.
Marie-Elsie Dowell gave inspiring Keynote Addresses. Many re-
connections were made with those who had not been in touch a a
long time, We are already in the planning phase for the next
Jamboree and will be announcing the details in the near future. We
look forward to this being a great success also.
Eng. Marie-Elsie Dowell, accompanied by the HAES Board of Directors,
addressing attendees with inspiring words at the HAES 25th Anniversary
Eng Ronald Colas giving a well received Tacaj providing good vibrations and
thought provoking Keynote Address. tantalizing music to the delight of all.
The 2014 HAES/Tacaj end of year gala was also a wonderful
festive event that you will read more about as Eng. Serge Stiven
gives us some good insight in his article. The 2015 Gala is being
planned as well, and more details will follow
A big thank you to all our writers who have contributed
articles that are interesting, and informative, and which stimulate our
thoughts into the possibilities for contributing at various levels
towards using science engineering and technology in creative ways
to address the needs of our communities and society in general. To
our readers, I invite you to read all the articles, and as usual, feel free
to provide feedback to us at haes@haiti-science.org.
Max E. Massac, P.E.
Chairman

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 Haitian-American Association of Engineers & Scientists
Promoting Science, Engineering, and Technology for the benefit of all!
www.haiti-science.org/haes

HAES Journal Volume 1, Issue 2, Spring 2015 Page 3

2014 END OF THE YEAR G ALA RECAP

by: Dir/Sec Serge J. Stiven, C.E., P.E.

On December 27, 2014, at the Coral Springs Country Club, the

3rd annual HAES / TACAJ End of the Year Gala took place. As
guests entered the beautifully adorned Main Dining Room of the
Coral Springs Country Club, they were treated to the classical and
jazzy sounds of classically trained pianist, Pierre Richard, and
renowned violinist and university professor, Nicole Yarling. Guests
were guided to their tables by the Coral Springs Country Club service
members and were immediately attended to.
Once the welcoming reception period of the night concluded, the Gala guests enjoying dinner
event’s host, Dr. Patrick Jabouin, welcomed the now settled and
anticipatory Gala attendees. He acknowledged all the interested When the guests finished their first course, which was a
parties responsible for making the event possible. In particular, he classic Caesar salad, the Coral Springs Country Club personnel
mentioned the Haitian American Association of Engineers and promptly served the main entrées of the night. The choices for
Scientists (HAES) and the primary entertainment for the night, the the main entrée were between roasted chicken breast and pan
musical group TACAJ, along with its associated guest stars, Mercedes seared salmon. The food was excellent.
(singer) and Nicole Yarling (Violinist). As orders for dessert were being made, our host for the
night teased, for the last time, excited Gala attendees in
Soon after some words of welcome from expectation of night’s main entertainment, finally introducing
the master of ceremonies, the opportunity was the individual members of the group TACAJ. As soon as he
given to Chairman Eng, Max E. Massac to completed, the band commenced to provide some much
address the audience on behalf of the HAES appreciated music to a both observant and highly contented
organization. Eng. Massac in his presentation audience. It did not take long for the dance floor to fill up.
Chairman addresses audience
defined HAES’ goal and objectives, using
PowerPoint slides to exhibit some of HAES
completed projects, as well as current ones.
He also acknowledged the presence of past
Chairman of the HAES, Eng. Alex Gaspard,
and Past ADIHA President Eng. Ernesto
Etienne who were in attendance. Eng Djenane
St. Fleur, V.P. of the Haitian-American
Chamber of Commerce of Broward/Palm Eng. Ernesto Etienne,
Founding Member of ADIHA
Beach was also recognized. enjoying dinner

Eng. Alex Gaspard, Founding Member of HAES, and wife Danielle

having fun on the dance floor with other guests to the music of Tacaj

Guests both attended to the music from their seats and,

when they weren’t satisfied with this, spiritedly danced to it.
The band’s efforts were to general acclaim and praises of
excellence. In the end, the night was a major success and
everyone was satisfied. The 3rd annual TACAJ / HAES End of
the Year Gala went beyond people’s expectations. Not one
person left unhappy. More pictures of the event can be seen at
the HAES website.

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 Haitian-American Association of Engineers & Scientists
Promoting Science, Engineering, and Technology for the benefit of all!
www.haiti-science.org/haes
HAES Journal
Milestone Reached: Clean Cooking for Haiti
by: Brady Luceno, Assistant Director, Project Gaia.
The first 6,200 gallons of POET ethanol cleared Haitian
customs on December 31, 2014. The arrival of fuel is a milestone
for the project, which is a partnership between Project Gaia,
Novogaz and POET several years in the making. The partnership
aims to create affordable, truly clean stove and fuel options for
Haitian households, mitigating emissions and deforestation and
improving household health.
“POET is leading the way in catalyzing a new market in Haiti for
household energy. Ethanol offers perhaps the greatest opportunity
to revitalize the agriculture sector and offer families a clean and
affordable alternative to charcoal. By working with a strong local
partner like Novogaz, the first shipment of donated ethanol will lay
the foundation for a viable and socially responsible Haitian
business to grow.”
POET partners to fight pollution,
deforestation in Haiti
Project Gaia replaces wood-burning stoves
with ethanol stoves
Wednesday, January 28, 2015 - General Press Releases
POET is fighting pollution and deforestation in Haiti through a new
partnership with Project Gaia to replace wood-burning stoves with
clean, ethanol-fueled cook stoves.
Today, most Haitians rely on charcoal and firewood to cook their
daily meals. Consequentially, the nation has experienced extreme
deforestation over the years, and now less than 2 percent of Haiti’s
forest cover remains. Additionally, the United Nations estimates
that the average lifespan in Haiti is shortened by 6.6 years due to
illnesses caused by household air pollution, which results from
burning wood and charcoal indoors.
To help remedy this problem, POET is teaming up with Project
Gaia to supply the ethanol needed to power clean-burning stoves.
Dometic, another partner in the project, is supplying the stoves,
which will eventually be made locally, and Novogaz is organizing
local distribution in Haiti. POET has selected POET Biorefining –
Jewell to produce the ethanol needed to fuel the cook stoves.
Project partners gathered in Haiti this past April to develop and
discuss a plan to bring U.S. ethanol to Haiti for home cooking.
The first 6,200 gallons of ethanol cleared Haitian customs on
December 31, 2014. POET Founder and Executive Chairman of the
Board Jeff Broin donated approximately 12,000 gallons of ethanol
to jumpstart the project.
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Volume 1, Issue 2, Spring 2015 Page 4
“The vision for this project is clear: to bring clean-burning ethanol
fuel to the homes in third-world countries in order to improve the
standard of living and drive positive socio-economic change,” said
Broin. “For decades, we’ve known ethanol to be a clean, renewable
fuel for our automobiles, and I look forward to bringing this same
clean, renewable fuel to homes across the globe. With the help of our
partners at Project Gaia, Dometic and Novogaz, I know we will be
successful in our journey to bring clean cookstoves and clean energy
to the world.”
“POET is leading the way in catalyzing a new market in Haiti for
household energy. Ethanol offers perhaps the greatest opportunity to
revitalize the agriculture sector and offer families a clean and
affordable alternative to charcoal,” said Brady Luceno, Assistant
Director of Project Gaia. “By working with a strong local partner like
Novogaz, the first shipment of donated ethanol will lay the
foundation for a viable and socially responsible Haitian business to
grow.”
Project Gaia estimates if every home in Africa, Developing Asia,
Latin America and the Middle East that is currently using traditional
solid fuels (charcoal, wood and other biomass substrates) would
switch to ethanol fuel for cooking it would save between 250 and 550
million forest acres per year. This is equivalent to over half the size
of the Brazilian rainforest, or the size of Alaska, California and Texas
combined.
For more information about Project Gaia’s efforts in Haiti, please
visit https://projectgaia.com/projects/haiti/. Photos from the project
can be viewed and downloaded through Project Gaia’s Flickr page.
About POET
POET, one of the world’s largest ethanol producers, is a leader in
biorefining through its efficient, vertically integrated approach to
production. The 25-year-old company has a production capacity in
excess of 1.6 billion gallons of ethanol and 9 billion pounds of high-
protein animal feed annually from its network of 27 production
facilities. POET, through its joint venture with DSM, also operates a
commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant in Emmetsburg, Iowa. For
more information, visit http://www.poet.com
Wednesday, January 28, 2015 - General Press Releases
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HAES Journal
Entrevue AIHC avec M. Paul
Celicourt sur l'instrumentation
du lac Azuéi
By: Guy Joël, (Secrétaire de l'AIHC)
Quel aspect du projet est le plus innovateur? (design, implémentation, déploiement,
coût)
Le projet est conforme à ce qui est nécessaire: la collecte de données in-situ et
l'application de modèles numériques en vue de a) d’obtenir une couverture
géospatiale (par opposition à un élément de données recueillies à un point), b) pour
permettre des capacités prédictives, i.e. scénarios et les scénarios futurs dans le
contexte du changement climatique. C’est une approche standard pour assurer la
crédibilité scientifique mais aussi la pertinence. L’innovation apparait à plusieurs
niveaux. D'une part, nous cherchons à intégrer les préférences, les opinions et des
aspects culturels des parties prenantes dans notre projet, ce qui en fait une approche
multidisciplinaire pour préserver une vision holistique qui garantit les coutumes
locales. Un autre niveau d’innovation apparait dans notre approche en vue de
résoudre des problèmes par exemple. Pour nous, cela a été la mise en place
d’infrastructures en vue d’assurer la sécurisation des stations de mesure, en plus de
combler les manques de données dans le domaine hydrométéorologique ainsi que les
données relatives au sol, l'utilisation des terres et de la couverture végétale et
comment celles-ci ont changé au fil du temps. Certaines innovations ont été apportées
par nos partenaires de City College of New York (CCNY) qui utilisent des modèles de
réduction d'échelle climatiques dynamique imbriqués pour produire des données
hydro-météorologiques de haute résolution.
Est-ce que le projet est adaptable à d’autres problèmes de gestion du territoire?
(ressources naturelles, météo)
L'approche de base reste le même: recueillir des données dans le domaine grâce à des
capteurs ou des prises d'échantillons et les intégrer avec des modèles qui permettent
l'assimilation à une plus grande échelle et l’ajout des capacités prédictives. Ceci est
fait avec la participation des parties prenantes qui exige: la transmission des résultats
scientifiques de façons compréhensibles pour toutes les parties concernées (ce qui
signifie que l'on doit développer différents produits de données), mais aussi
l’intégration de leurs réactions dans l’avancement du projet. En d'autres termes, ces
types de projets ont à leur base des boucles de rétroaction qui intègrent ceux qui sont
les plus touchés.
Quelles ont été les difficultés les plus marquées du projet?
Il en y a vraiment deux: un aspect pratique qui concerne la sécurité des équipements.
Le vol de panneaux solaires a été notre plus gros problème, mais aussi la destruction
de nos équipements et le vandalisme. Un autre problème est la "possession de la
terre". Il n’est pas clair sur la propriété de quelle personne on se trouve lors de la
sélection des emplacements, il y a inévitablement un propriétaire local qui tente
d’obtenir de l'argent pour permettre le déploiement des capteurs. L'autre aspect est le
manque de données ou de centres de données contenant des données à l'échelle
nationale. Les données SIG sont difficiles à trouver et il semble que différents
ministères collectent et gardent leurs données au lieu de publier au grand public. Les
défis de cette catégorie sont nombreux, différents sites, différents modes d'accès,
différentes approches de gestion des données, différentes métadonnées, différents
formats .... La liste est longue; et ça empêche de savoir ce qui est fait là-bas. Nous
avons passé une quantité extraordinaire de temps à creuser et faire la chasse aux
données en contactant de nombreuses personnes mais ces efforts ne mènent souvent
qu’à heurter un mur où l’on ne peut plus avancer.
Est-ce que de la modélisation peut raccourcir le temps et les coûts associés à
l’implémentation?
Je pense que c’est important. La modélisation permet de développer/générer des
distributions géospatiales et surtout évaluer des scénarios du genre « si c’était ceci »
au fil du temps. Ces derniers sont indispensables afin de travailler à travers
différentes alternatives de conception et de planification.
Quels sont les autres bassins clés à instrumenter un Haïti et/ou ailleurs?
Je pense qu'il y a plusieurs.
Artibonite pour sa taille et son importance dans l'agriculture et la production
d'hydroélectricité. En général, je dirais des ruisseaux qui serpentent dans les zones
peuplées (PAP, Les Cayes: Riviere la Ravine du Sud, Gonaïves), ceux qui ont un
potentiel hydroélectrique (comme Cavaillon), ceux qui peuvent menacer les terres
arables (tels que Rouyonne), et affecter régions écologiques importantes tels que les
lacs (comme La Source a Fonds-Parisien).
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Volume 1, Issue 2, Spring 2015 Page 5
Ing. Paul Celicourt a reçu son
baccalauréat en Génie Électromécanique à
Faculté des Sciences de l'Université d’Etat
d'Haïti en 2008, et une Master of Science
en « Développement Durable en Milieu
Urbain » au City College de New York en
2011. Il travaille actuellement sur son
doctorat en essayant de développer des
stations de détection hydro-climatiques à http://www.karibik-news.com/haiti/sehenswertes/141-etang-
bon marché qui sont faciles à déployer. saumatre-lac-azuei.html
Comment avez-vous attaqué le problème de sécurité étant donné l’accès web?
Fondamentalement: Je ne pense pas qu'il y a un problème de sécurité. Les
données sont tout simplement des données et rien de plus. L'information et la
connaissance arrive de l'interprétation des données. Ce sont ces processus qui
déterminent la crédibilité des personnes qui utilisent les données. L’utilisation
frauduleuse ou mauvaise interprétation sera généralement rapidement
découverte. Je croie fortement que les données du système terrestre devraient
être publiques à chacun et à tous, et en tant que telle toutes les données que je
collectionne est en accès libre.
Quelle est la durée de vie du système actuel et quels sont les systèmes
requérants le plus d’entretien?
Je n’ai pas prévu de limite pour le moment. Tant que les capteurs continuent à
travailler, et les coûts des d'entretien et de transmission de données demeurent
raisonnables je prévois de continuer indéfiniment à surveiller le lac Azuei et les
bassins versants de la région de Léogâne.
 Y-a-t-il des aspects qui peuvent être améliorés, si oui lesquels?
Il est nécessaire de :
a) augmenter la densité des stations de détection, déployer des réseaux qui sont
faciles à déployer, qui viennent avec un système de gestion de données intégrée,
qui offrent des rapports et des produits de données et capteurs qui ne coûtent
pas cher.
b) fournir une meilleure protection aux instruments. Un exemple: la perte d'un
des panneaux solaires de 10W ($ 50) conduit à une décharge complète et la
destruction ultérieure d'une batterie au plomb de nickel installé pour
alimenter l'enregistreur de données et de ses instruments, (remplacement: $
370), ce qui conduit à la nécessité de voyager et de faire l'entretien (coût; $
1000) en plus d'avoir perdu les données ($$ ??).
C) une meilleure intégration avec les efforts du gouvernement et en particulier
maintenir plus de continuité. Les nominations politiques normalement
affectent les gens ou employés qui sont très bas dans la lettre politique
hiérarchique. Cela signifie que l'établissement de relations avec le personnel de
programme et de terrain consommant beaucoup de temps est de courte durée,
nécessitant une répétition de ce processus. Ceci est extrêmement préjudiciable
à tout progrès ... conduisant souvent à contourner le gouvernement car il n’est
pas efficace, pas de continuité, pas assez de financement, … essentiellement une
perte de temps.
Est-ce qu’il y a eu des opportunités de transfert de connaissance avec des
citoyens/professionnels de la région?
Nous travaillons avec diligence à intégrer la population locale dans notre
travail de projet (voir ci-dessus) et aussi essayer d'apprendre au fur et à
mesure comment transmettre les résultats de nos travaux à la population,
l’aider à interpréter ce que cela signifie pour eux, et en prenant ensuite leurs
commentaires/réactions en compte en vue de développer nos projets et de
planifier les prochaines étapes. Nous croyons que l'intégration des acteurs
locaux dans la planification scientifique, d’infrastructure de développement, et
économique est cruciale et nécessaire.
Quel sont vos projets actuels et ceux que vous visez dans le futur?
Nous travaillons actuellement à:
Léogâne et ses bassins versants
Les Lacs (trans-frontalièrs avec DR)
Pour plus d’informations, visitez http://piwarec.com à Projects
Les travaux futurs:
Les cibles seront déterminées par l'intérêt, le financement disponible (par
exemple par l'intermédiaire de programmes de l'ONU), les besoins locaux dans
les domaines où nous sommes déjà présents.
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HAES Journal Volume 1, Issue 2, Spring 2015 Page 6

The World’s Largest Solar Farm

by: Dir/Treasurer Charles E. Blot, M.S.E.E.

Those of us who have been paying attention to the energy debate

in the U.S. over the years have heard the pros and cons of drilling for
more oil and tapping into the country’s natural gas reserves versus
using clean renewable energy such as wind and solar. Proponents and
detractors on either side have argued their case based on a few issues
such as resource availability, economics, infrastructure,
environmental concerns, inefficient technology etc. The U.S.
government, pursuing its goal for energy independence, has in recent
years not only increased the production of oil and natural gas but has
also encouraged the development of a large-scale solar industry. It has
done so through a loan guarantee program administered by the DOE
(Department of Energy. Using advanced technology and in
partnership with state and the private sector, the push for renewable
energy has seen tremendous successes. As of date, 17 solar farms
have been financed, that are able to generate in excess of 100
megawatts each. The latest success story in the quest for energy
independence is the Desert Sunlight Solar Farm located in Riverdale World's Largest Solar Farm Goes Online In California [2]
County, Ca, commissioned in February 2015. It is the world’s largest
solar power plant with an installed capacity of 550 megawatts,
slightly more than the Topaz Solar project in San Luis Obispo
County, AZ. It spans 3800 acres on which several thousand solar
panels convert the energy of the sun to electricity, enough to power
160,000 average California homes.
Critics of the LGP have tried to derail the program after Solyndra, a
solar panel manufacturer defaulted on a 535 million dollars loan
guaranteed by the federal government and filed for bankruptcy in
2011. But, the voices of critics have not deterred the will nor slowed
the determination of the U.S. government to stay the course.
California leads the nation in solar power due to favorable conditions
of sunlight and geography. The state’s 3 major utilities are on track to
meet the 33% renewable energy mandate by 2020 and 50% by 2030 if
the legislature approves.
The 550 MW Desert Sunlight Solar Farm located in the
California Desert [2]

References:
1- www.desertsun.com/story/tech/science/energy/
2- http://www.alternative-energies.net/california-is-the-leader-in-the-
solar-energy-development-in-the-u-s/

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 Haitian-American Association of Engineers & Scientists
Promoting Science, Engineering, and Technology for the benefit of all!
www.haiti-science.org/haes
HAES Journal
Haiti:
Megawatts and Millions: Chinese take-out?
by: Mr. Stuart Leiderman, Advocate for
Environmental Refugees and Ecological Restoration
Announcement of a contract for a big dam project on the
Artibonite, either a new one or a renovation. But a quarter of a
billion dollars for only 32 megawatts of power? Can this be
correct?
Estimates of the cost of hydropower are at barely more than $3
million per megawatt, and that's on the far high side [1]. Even at
that, the Chinese-Haitian project is more than twice as
costly. Who will pocket the extra hundred million plus? That
overage alone could pay for two thousand [2,000] grassroots
renewable energy projects all over the country, at an ample fifty
thousand dollars [$50,000] each. There are about two hundred
fifty Haitian hometown associations who'd do well by grants like
that. Did the Haitian government pick their brains for cost-
effectiveness while they were courting the Chinese for a quarter of
a billion dollars' dam project?
Note that USAID's electric power plant for Caracol, for $20
million, is rated at 10 megawatts, so $2 million per megawatt;
that's within the rule of thumb above. So three times that would
be $60 million or so, certainly not a quarter of a billion
dollars. Why dam more of the Artibonite? Google Earth images
clearly show miles of mudflats. That Haitian experiment failed,
predictably. Note also the extensive environmental impact
statement for the Caracol plant [3]. Where is one for the dam
project?
Large, unjustified dams in the middle of nowhere that
nonetheless destroy regionally- and globally-valuable ecosystems
and are of questionable economy began to proliferate around the
world beginning in the 1950s with prodding and easy money from
the piratical World Bank - there is no other way to describe those
financiers. These dams are known as "pharaonic works," referring
to the slave-built egomania-constructs of ancient Egyptian rulers
whose notions of immortality are long-buried in desert sands.
Today's erstwhile pharaohs have plagued us with the Aswan
dam that's destroyed the Nile River, the Ghana dam that silted up
Africa's mighty Volta, requiring yet another megadam upstream,
the Brazilian dam in the Amazon that disrupted both the flow and
the forest of that irreplaceable ecosystem...and remember, the
Chinese Communists are major villains in destroying the Mekong
River Basin in Southeast Asia. Who let them in the door? What
liberated-remnant of black Caribbean republic would even do that
magnitude of business with them? These are not Bolivarian
bedfellows by any stretch of the imagination.
Haitian-American Engineers and Scientists we need you, now!
REFERENCES
1- http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2010/05/09/hydroelectric-project-price
-questionable/
2- http://www.usaid.gov/news-information/frontlines/energy-infrastructure/
electricity-sparks-life-northern-haiti
3- http://www.ute.gouv.ht/caracol/images/stories/docs/environmental%
20assessment%20of%20the%20usaidhaiti%20north%20park%20power%
20project.pdf
4- http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-13129-haiti-economy-the-dam-of-
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Volume 1, Issue 2, Winter 2015 Page 7
From.: http://www.allotaxihaiti.com/services/peligre-
Editorial Response:
Many in Haiti see this as a good and worthwhile project as can
be seen in the following excerpts, also provided by Mr. Stuart
Leiderman:
Haiti - Energy : «Good news for the country» dixit Evans Paul
10/02/2015 08:55:32
Monday at the Primature, the Government of Haiti proceeded to the
signing of the contract to build the hydroelectric dam Artibonite 4C
with the Chinese firm SINOHYDRO Corporation LTD
The Prime Minister, Evans Paul who welcomed the signing declared
"This is good news for the country, by signing today this construction
agreement for the hydroelectric dam Artibonite 4C, amounting to
more than $240 million [...] The dam construction work will last
between 36 and 42 months. Thanks to this dam, the country will have
32 megawatts of additional power, and 3,500 hectares of agricultural
land will be irrigated. This project will allow employ more than
7,500 people and increase by $10 million income in agriculture."
Haiti - Economy : The dam of Artibonite will be built by Chinese
07/02/2015 09:38:23 [4]
Friday, the Prime Minister, Evans Paul, held an important working
meeting around the construction project of the hydroelectric dam
Artibonite 4C, to which took part among others Michel Présumé, the
Secretary of State for Planning.
The hydroelectric dam Artibonite 4C is an ambitious project in the
field of electric power, whose impact will undoubtedly be positive,
particularly for Haiti's economy, agriculture and the environment in
the departments of Artibonite and Centre, where it will be located.
The construction works of the dam will be carried out by the Chinese
firm SINOHYDRO, for an amount of 205 million US dollars. A
Memorandum of Understanding will be signed, Monday, February
10, 2015, at the Primature between Jacques Rousseau, Minister of
Public Works, Jean François Thomas, Minister of Agriculture and the
Chinese construction firm. A request for financing the work will soon
be introduced to the Chinese government.
Recall that this hydroelectric project, initiated in 2007, under the
government Préval is expected to produce 32 MW of renewable
energy for more than 200,000 families. Brazil has financed the
preliminary study (handed in 2010, $2,5 million) and committed at
the time, to contribute financially to this project to the tune of $40
million.
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 Haitian-American Association of Engineers & Scientists
Promoting Science, Engineering, and Technology for the benefit of all!
www.haiti-science.org/haes
HAES Journal
STEM Implies More Rigorous Science Background
by: Dir Marc Antoine Leveille, I.E., M.U.R.P.
The teaching and learning of science has long been molded by
the scientific method. The scientific method has been instituted in
the world-wide science community to enable standardization of
approaches to scientific inquiry and ensure replicability of testable
arguments or hypotheses. In the United States, a great emphasis
had been placed on reforming the science and mathematics
curricula during the presidency of J.F. Kennedy. It was in large
measure a response to the 1957 Sputnik space launch by the
Russians. At that point in time a yet-to-match Soviet leadership in
related technological areas was unleashed. From such standpoint
and through academia mathematics and science became scientific
research assets to achieve and promote geo-political hegemony.
Moreover, the Arab physicist Ali Ibn Al-Haytham (965-
1040) is often credited for having soundly structured the scientific
method as it is globally applied today in modern classrooms and by
research institutions. The scientific method as taught in U.S.
classrooms calls for students to hypothesize through a claim or a
wondering which often stems from a problem statement. This
thought process is likely to have been brought about by a single or
series of questions. To carry out a scientific investigation the
student is encouraged and trained to plan at least three trials to test
the hypothesis through standard and replicable procedures. The
scientific investigation would then be substantiated by observed
and recorded results. Such would then be analyzed, compared and
organized for interpretation. In this manner, the evidence gathered
can either be said to support or reject the claim or hypothesis.
However, in the second decade of this century, the
scientific method has been influenced by a new school of thoughts.
In fact, the notion of reasoning has been proposed by many
scientific scholars to be a key anchor for the Claim-Evidence
relationship. This gave rise to the advocacy for the CER approach
or Claim-Evidence-Reasoning approach; it is a format currently
used by middle and high school students. The emphasis is to
construct scientific arguments based on a claim for which evidence
can be gathered experimentally. Subsequently sound reasoning
must be provided to scientifically anchor the evidence (McNeill
and Krajcik, 2012). Accordingly many scholars insisted that doing
science involves working contextually in situated cognition (Gee,
2004). Also, it implies being able to work in a community of
practice (Wenger et al., 2002). Students ought to be able to write
scientific arguments and be able to refine such argument with
collaborative feedback (Cope et al., 2013).
Two major initiatives promoting new teaching standards
in the United States have been spearheaded to booster the nation’s
current and questionable leadership role in science and technology.
Namely, the NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards of 2012)
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Volume 1, Issue 2, Winter 2015 Page 8
From: U.S. Department of education www.ed.us.gov/stem
and the Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSS of 2010).
Both have been alluded to by Cope et al. (2013) in a similar vein.
Factors and indicators of competitiveness such as those imposed
by STEM also imply the need for more rigorous and robust
science backgrounds (Léveillé, 2014). The CER approach is
hence a very practical strategy to instill critical thinking in
students’ habits of mind while conducting science experiments or
discussions.
Therefore, the strategic education reform initiatives of
the NGSS and CCSS are applicable to science curricula the world
over. David (2014) argued that it is inconceivable for any country
facing an environmental disaster (Haiti in that context) to refuse
to introduce hands-on activities and mandatory field trips as part
of its national curricula. David further stressed that this can only
be done through a new approach in Science education with a
regionalization of Haiti’s public school curricula to engage every
citizen in the process of understanding and protecting their
surroundings. Surely, the CER approach can promote higher
order thinking skills that will impact future generations in Haiti
by instilling responsible behavior patterns towards the protection
and stewardship of the country’s fragile environment.
References
Cope, B., Kalantzis, M., Abd-El-Kalhick, F., & Bagley, E. (2013). Science in writing:
learning scientific argument in principle and practice. E-Learning and Digital
Media, 10 (4), 420-441.
David, J. (Autumn 2014). Haiti: the environment and the future generation. HA ES Journal, 1
(1), 1-11. Retrieved online on January 22, 2015 at http://www.haiti-science.org/
haes/pdf
Gee, J. P. (2004). Situated language and learning: A Critique of traditional schooling. London:
Routledge.
Léveillé, M. (Autumn 2014). STEM: Preparing future engineers and scientists. HAES Journal,
1(1), 1-11. Retrieved online on January 22, 2015 at http://www.haiti-science.org/
haes/pdf
McNeill, K. L. & Krajcik, J. (2012). Supporting grade 5-8 students in constructing
explanations in science: The claim, evidence and reasoning framework for talk
and writing. New-York, NY: Pearson Allyn & Bacon.
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 Haitian-American Association of Engineers & Scientists
Promoting Science, Engineering, and Technology for the benefit of all!
www.haiti-science.org/haes

HAES Journal Volume 1, Issue 2, Spring 2015 Page 9

Upcoming Events

May 17, 2015, 6:30 - 8:30 PM

Monthly Meeting - Emerging Engineering Opportunities
June 12, 2015, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Monthly Meeting - Energy Development Options
July 17, 2015, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Monthly Meeting - Environmental Challenges
Aug 14, 2015, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Monthly Meeting - Emerging Technologies
Sep 12, 2015, 8:00 PM
The HAES 26th Anniversary Jamboree Fundraiser
Oct 9, 2015, 7:00—9:00 PM
General Membership Dinner Meeting
Oct 17, 2015
HAES Tech Fair / Youth STEM Summit
Nov 20, 2015, 7:00—9:00 PM
Election of 2016 Board of Directors
Dec 26, 2015, 8:00 PM
End of Year Gala
Please feel free to contact us for further information at:
(800) 928-6159 or haes@haiti-science.org

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 Haitian-American Association of Engineers & Scientists
Promoting Science, Engineering, and Technology for the benefit of all!
www.haiti-science.org/haes

HAES Journal Volume 1, Issue 2, Spring 2015 Page 10

HELP WANTED:

Website Administrator - Part Time position Grant Writer - Contract position -

Hours: 5 to 7 hours per week.
Pay rate: $15-20/hour depending on experience
Job Description:
- Under the direction of the Board of Directors, the website
administrator will aid in developing our website by actively
maintaining content and effectively communicating our online
presence.
Key Responsibilities:
 Post and update information on Website
 Assist with posting and creating web pages
 Work with Website Developer as needed
 Update the calendar of events and keep current
 Stay current on site standards with regard to new domain
developments
 Pull Google Analytics data when needed
 Participate and attend marketing meetings, and be willing to
give updates as needed
 Qualifications:
 Educational credentials in Website development and
maintenance
 Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
 Familiarity with managing online marketing and outreach
campaigns
 Attention to detail and quality control
Please send your resume to: haes@haiti-science.org
Key Responsibilities:
 Developing and writing grant proposals to foundations and
other grant-making organizations,
 Persuasively communicating the organization’s mission and
programs to potential funders;
 Assembling and submitting grant requests, including letters,
proposals, budgets, and presentations;
 Establishing and maintaining personal contact and
relationships with foundation contacts and program officers;
 Ensuring prompt acknowledgement of foundation gifts;
 Maintaining calendar to ensure timely submission of letters of
inquiry, proposal deadlines, and reports;
 Conducting prospect research;
 Prioritizing projects to keep multiple projects moving in a
timely manner;
 Providing writing support for major donor and individual
contribution letters and acknowledgements.
Qualifications:
The successful candidate will be able to craft funding proposals
in a clear and compelling manner. Excellent writing, analytical,
and research skills are essential. Must be self-motivated, detail
oriented, and highly-organized, and have experience using
online databases and other sources to locate biographical,
financial, and philanthropic information. Must possess an ability
to work well under pressure and the ability to seek and
synthesize information and communicate in a compelling and
succinct form. A solid understanding of budgets as they relate to
proposals and grants. A Bachelor’s degree, and 3 -5 years of
relevant experience are required.

To Apply please submit your cover letter, resume, and salary

requirements to haes@haiti-science.org.

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