Young Innovator Develops Affordable Air Filter
At just 12 years old, Eniola Shokunbi is solving big problems. A middle schooler from Middletown, Connecticut, she designed an air filtration system that removes over 99% of airborne viruses, including COVID-19.
The project started at Commodore MacDonough STEM Academy, where Shokunbi collaborated with her classmates and scientists from the University of Connecticut. Using simple materials—box fans, furnace filters, duct tape, and cardboard—they built a system that costs just $60 to make.
“The air goes through all sides, and it comes out of the top,” Shokunbi explained. “It filters in and out.”
EPA Validates Efficiency
This isn’t just a school science project. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tested and certified the filter in North Carolina. The results confirmed its efficiency in removing harmful particles from the air.
“This air filter takes out over 99% of viruses in the air, and it was proven effective,” Shokunbi said confidently.
Her innovation is not only affordable but also accessible, making it a potential game-changer for schools across the country.
$11.5 Million Approved for Statewide Use
Shokunbi’s work caught the attention of the Connecticut State Bond Commission, which recently approved $11.5 million for the program. The funding will support the construction and installation of these air filters in schools statewide.
The money will go to the University of Connecticut as part of its Supplemental Air Filtration for Education Program. This ensures that classrooms are safer and healthier for students and teachers.
Leadership Recognized by State Officials
State Senator Matt Lesser praised Shokunbi’s remarkable efforts, calling her a “real rock star.” Her leadership and innovation are setting an example for future generations.
“Eniola is fabulous. She wows every room she’s in front of,” Lesser said.
Shokunbi has her sights set on taking this project nationwide. “I want kids to go to school knowing they’re safe, that they’re healthy, and that they can learn,” she shared.
A Visionary with Big Dreams
Shokunbi dreams of one day becoming the U.S. president, but for now, she’s focused on making a difference in classrooms. She believes investing in science is key to protecting children’s futures.
“A lot of people don’t realize that science is the thing standing between them and getting sick,” Shokunbi said. “If we’re not investing in that, then we’re not investing in kids’ futures.”
Her passion and innovation prove that age is no barrier to making a significant impact.
