A young Nigerian-American student, Eniola Shokunbi, has made headlines after receiving a $11.5 million grant to develop a low-cost air filtration system designed to prevent airborne diseases in schools across Connecticut. Shokunbi’s innovative project, created with the help of classmates and scientists from the University of Connecticut, promises to make learning environments safer and healthier for students statewide.
A revolutionary air purification system
Eniola Shokunbi, a 12-year-old student at Commodore MacDonough STEM Academy in Middletown, worked with her classmates to create an affordable and efficient air filtering system. The design uses simple materials, including four furnace filters, a box fan, duct tape, and cardboard. Each unit costs just $60 to build, significantly undercutting the high prices of commercial air purifiers, which often cost several hundred dollars.
The air filter works by drawing air in through its sides and releasing it through the top, ensuring thorough purification. “The air goes through all the sides and it comes out of the top, so it filters in and out,” Shokunbi explained during an interview with NBC Connecticut.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted rigorous tests on the filter and confirmed it was 99 percent effective in eliminating airborne contaminants. This validation boosted confidence in the system’s ability to reduce the transmission of diseases like COVID-19 and led to its approval for large-scale implementation.
Recognition and grant approval
The Connecticut State Bond Commission was deeply impressed by Shokunbi’s project. In October, the commission approved a $11.5 million grant to support the development and distribution of the air filtering system to schools across the state.
State regulators ranked the filter’s effectiveness at 99 percent, a level comparable to high-end air purifiers, but at a fraction of the cost. The grant funding will enable the system to be scaled up, ensuring that every school in Connecticut has access to cleaner air.
Passion for science and community impact
Shokunbi has a deep passion for science and a strong desire to make a difference in her community. “A lot of people, they don’t realise sometimes that the only thing standing between them and getting sick is science,” she said. “If we’re not investing in that, then we’re not investing in the kids.”
Her air filtration project reflects this commitment to public health and education. “I want them to go to school knowing that they’re safe, that they’re healthy, that they can learn,” she explained.
Shokunbi’s work also highlights the importance of STEM education in addressing real-world challenges. By collaborating with her peers and university researchers, she demonstrated the power of innovation in solving pressing problems.
Affordable solutions for safer schools
The simplicity and cost-effectiveness of Shokunbi’s air purifier make it a practical solution for schools struggling to afford high-end equipment. At just $60 per unit, the system is a game-changer, particularly for underfunded districts.
The grant will be used to manufacture and distribute the air filters on a larger scale, ensuring schools across Connecticut can benefit from this innovative technology. This initiative is expected to significantly improve indoor air quality, reducing the spread of airborne diseases and creating healthier environments for students and staff.
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A bright future awaits young innovator, Eniola Shokunbi
At just 12 years old, Shokunbi has achieved a remarkable feat by securing a multimillion-dollar grant for her project. Her success serves as an inspiration to young people everywhere, proving that age is no barrier to making a meaningful impact.
The young innovator hopes her work will encourage others to pursue STEM education and use science to solve real-world problems. “I really love explaining to people and seeing their faces, seeing them realize that this could change so many lives.”
By creating an affordable and effective solution to airborne diseases, she has not only addressed a critical public health need but also set an example for young scientists around the world.
With the $11.5 million grant, Eniola Shokunbi’s vision of safer, healthier schools in Connecticut is now becoming a reality, offering hope for a future where science and ingenuity pave the way for better lives.