Course Description:
Students in the Praxis Sustainability Seminar each had a field placement with a local organization in which they examined a sustainability issue. The seminar met bi-weekly during which time students discussed their field experiences. Students took turns providing readings for the seminar related to the sustainability issues arising in their placements and then leading discussions of the readings during the seminar.
Faculty Advisor: Victor Donnay
Field Site: Comcast
Field Supervisor: Anna Blitz
Course Description:
This course will primarily be focused on the carbon inventory process of a corporation, specifically Comcast Corporation. The carbon inventory process includes sourcing raw data, cleaning and validating data, converting raw data into emissions data, compiling the totals and calculating the normalized metrics, and conducting trend analysis. This inventory will include Scope 1+2+3 emissions. The course will also cover additional corporate sustainability methods in less detail through case studies and current events articles.
Final Project:
Sophia wrote an article about Carbon Footprint Analysis that reflects key aspects of her Praxis work.
Final PRAXIS blogpost_Sophia McConnell.pdfPlease click here to access a PDF version of Sophia’s article.
Faculty Advisor: Victor Donnay
Field site: Independence Solar
Field Supervisor: Mari Prentice
Course Description:
For my Praxis experience, I interned at a prominent commercial solar developer in the Mid-Atlantic and New England. During my time at Independence Solar, I completed tasks across business strategy, operations and research. One of my primary assignments revolved around software onboarding. For this, I aided the implementation of Procore to streamline project management and development. I was responsible for considerable research and data consolidation in support of that initiative. In addition to Procore, I generated a report on paired battery storage and commercial solar in Massachusetts. This lengthy process required extensive regulatory analysis and exploration. Ultimately, my time at Independence Solar was highly fulfilling and educational. I learned a great deal about the development process and the complexities of operating a successful solar business. Per my Praxis course, I am inspired to pursue a career in renewable energy.
Praxis Presentation:
Please click here to access Jeremy’s video presentation and here to access a PDF version of the slides.
Faculty Advisor: Victor Donnay
Field site: Clean Air Council
Field Supervisor: Russell Zerbo
Course Description:
This course will explore how to approach real-world sustainability problems with a critical eye. It will develop both professional and analytical skills in building off of the fieldwork component in the classroom. The classroom setting will provide a space to connect concrete examples to theoretical questions – Are energy companies making use of the resources available to them? How can nonprofits and private institutions push change in the face of a national government that remains resistant to change? How do expertise and politics interact in complex and risky issue areas such as environmental and energy regulation?
Praxis Projects and Reflection:
Sarah created a fact sheet about Energy Efficiency that reflects key components of her Praxis work.
EE_FactsheetPlease click here to access a PDF version of the fact sheet.
Moreover, Sarah helped create content for the Clear Air Council website that guides supporters through the complex process of commenting on the PA Public Utility Commission’s Phase IV of their energy efficiency program. Take a look here!
Lastly, Sarah is sharing reflections about her Praxis experience in the document below.
PIS_Reflection_Golobish2Please click here to access a PDF version of the document.
Faculty Advisor: Victor Donnay (Praxis Sustainability Seminar)
Field Site: William T. Burnett & Co.
Field Supervisor: Ben Benedict
Course description:
This course explores the sustainability of global supply chains by analyzing the environmental costs associated with the manufacturing of flip flops. Topics covered include the circular economy and carbon footprinting with a specific focus on carbon dioxide emissions associated with transportation. In addition, other sustainability issues are explored through biweekly meetings and discussions with the faculty supervisor and other Praxis students working on projects with environmental focuses.
Student Introduction:
Please click here to view Diane’s video introduction.
Praxis Project:
Diane wrote an article about the Carbon Footprint of Supply Chains that reflects key aspects of her Praxis work.
Diane Moore_Praxis blog articlePlease click here to access a PDF version of Diane’s article.