Student Stanford Online High School Morgantown, West Virginia, United States
Abstract: This project aimed to find a simple, cost-efficient, solution for light pollution that can be easily applied by the average person. Using just parchment and an elastic band, a parchment paper light diffuser can quickly address light pollution in residential and/or campground areas. Parchment paper is a cheap, durable, and compostable, material that is easily found at local stores. The solution involves taking a piece of parchment paper, folding it into a funnel-like shape, and attaching around a light source with an elastic band. This idea was tested on a residential lamp over a two week period with wind, rain, snow, and temperatures between 25℉ to 63℉. During this period the parchment paper remained intact and attached to the lamp, effectively dimming and diffusing light while still leaving enough for safety.
