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Math students in Professor of Mathematics Victor Donnay’s Math Modeling and Sustainability course are taking their math problem-solving skills out of the classroom and applying them to real-world situations with environmental and economic impacts. The course, taught bi-annually and supported by the Praxis Program, has teams of students work to address a sustainability issue relevant to a community partner.  

On October 17, Donnay, Kris Pasia ‘25, and Priita Peterson ‘26 presented a cost-benefit analysis of putting solar panels on two elementary schools to the Haverford School District. 

Pasia, Peterson, and two other students, Virgina Do (HC '25) and Leilani Soriano '25, collaborated with the (PSEA) on a similar project for the Phoenixville School District when they took the course in fall 2023.  

Donnay invited Pasia and Peterson to continue working with him in spring semester 2024 on the Haverford School District analysis. 

Starting with the District’s energy bills from October 2022 to September 2023, Pasia and Peterson determined how much electrical energy the Coopertown and Lynnewood elementary schools used. Then, working with an energy engineer and a team from PSEA, they learned how to use the software program Solar Edge to design several potential solar systems for the schools, and the PV Watts program to calculate how much energy these systems would generate. Finally, they inputted data into a proforma from PSEA to determine the financial feasibility and analysis of solar installation at the sites. Along with the financial feasibility, they also considered the environmental benefits, including the total CO2 emissions avoided over 30 years. 

“This experience was incredibly valuable by enhancing my teamwork and collaboration skills. Not only did I work with Priita and Professor Donnay, but we also worked with many experts in solar installation... I enjoyed learning more about the behind-the-scenes of large construction and installation projects,” says Pasia, a math major and history minor, “I also used my math skills in the context of sustainability and was able to truly apply the content learned in class to a real-world situation.” 

For years, student findings and recommendations from Donnay's course projects have led to concrete action in the community—from the College buying an electric blue bus based on a cost-benefit analysis conducted in 2021, to Haverford Township budgeting $1 million for solar projects after a presentation in fall 2020.  

“Students get very motivated when they see that their math skills can be used to make a difference in their local community. At the start, most students have not had the chance to apply math to a real-world problem. It takes them a while to start getting the hang of how to do this but by the end of the term they have made good progress. It is rewarding to see the pride the students take in their final work,” says Donnay. “And the community partners are very appreciative of the students’ work as well.” 

Watch the October 17 presentation to the Haverford School District . At a meeting of the Haverford School Board on October 25, the board discussed Pasia and Peterson's presentation and established the next steps for applying for a Solar for Schools state grant.