12-Year-Old Eniola Shokunbi Secures $11.5M for Her Air Filter Innovation

Eniola Shokunbi, a 12-year-old middle schooler from Connecticut, is working on a big project to make classrooms healthier. What started as a school assignment has now turned into a major initiative, with $11.5 million in state funding to create affordable air filters for schools.

When Eniola was in fifth grade at Commodore MacDonough STEM Academy in Middletown, Connecticut, her teacher asked the class to come up with ideas to make schools safer during pandemics. Eniola focused on cleaning the air to stop viruses like COVID-19 from spreading.

A School Project Becomes a Life-Changing Idea

She invented an air filter that is both simple and affordable. Her design uses easy-to-find materials like a box fan, four furnace filters, duct tape, and cardboard.

“The air goes in from the sides and comes out the top,” Eniola explained. “It’s simple, but it works to clean the air.” Each filter costs only $60 to make, which is much cheaper than most commercial air purifiers.

Eniola’s invention was tested at the University of Connecticut (UConn), where scientists proved it works well. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also tested the device and confirmed it removes over 99% of airborne viruses, making classrooms much safer.

Her work caught the attention of the Connecticut State Bond Commission, which approved $11.5 million to build and install these filters in schools across the state.

This is part of a program called SAFE-CT (Supplemental Air Filtration for Education), which aims to improve air quality in every public school classroom in Connecticut.

Eniola hopes her air filters can be used in schools all over the country. “Science is the key to keeping people healthy,” she said, encouraging more investment in science to protect children’s health.

Eniola’s project has won praise from many people, including Connecticut State Senator Matt Lesser, who called her “fabulous” and said she is an inspiration. Her air filters not only improve air quality but also teach other students how important it is to think about the air we breathe.

As she continues her journey through middle school, Eniola remains focused on making schools healthier and encouraging other kids to dream big and create change.