Middletown, Connecticut, is home to an extraordinary young innovator, Eniola Shokunbi, a 12-year-old student whose ingenuity is set to transform air quality in schools across the United States. Eniola, a Nigerian-born sixth-grader at Commodore MacDonough STEM Academy, has secured $11.5 million in funding to roll out her affordable air filtration system in classrooms statewide.
The funding, approved by the Connecticut State Bond Commission, will enable Eniola’s groundbreaking low-cost air filters to be implemented in schools as part of the University of Connecticut’s SAFE-CT program. Her creation, which was inspired during a fifth-grade challenge to address future pandemic preparedness, is both simple and highly effective. Using materials like a box fan, furnace filters, duct tape, and cardboard, Eniola’s system costs just $60 per unit—making it an accessible alternative to expensive commercial air purifiers.
“The air goes through all the sides and comes out of the top, so it filters in and out,” Eniola explained in an interview with NBC Connecticut. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has validated her invention, confirming its ability to remove over 99% of airborne viruses.
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The concept was born out of necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic when Eniola realized how crucial clean air is in combating the spread of diseases. Her innovation has already captured the attention of state officials and researchers, with University of Connecticut experts supporting its development and testing.
State Senator Matt Lesser praised Eniola’s achievements, saying, “Eniola is fabulous. She wows every room she’s in front of. She’s a real rock star.”
Eniola’s air filters will soon be deployed in public schools across Connecticut, bringing cleaner air to classrooms and improving safety for students and staff. The young inventor hopes her creation will eventually reach schools nationwide, ensuring that her vision for better air quality extends far beyond her home state.
At just 12 years old, Eniola Shokunbi has not only demonstrated remarkable innovation but has also shown how young minds can address global challenges with practical, affordable solutions.
