A 12-year-old Nigerian-born girl, Eniola Shokunbi, has achieved a record-breaking feat with her invention by securing $11.5 million in grant funding to develop and build her air filter system.
The funding allocated by the Connecticut State Bond Commission will enable Eniola to build and install the air filter system across schools in the state of Connecticut, Shoppe Black reports.
Eniola’s innovative journey started in fifth grade as a student of Commodore MacDonough STEM Academy in Middletown, Connecticut. Her teacher tasked students with finding solutions to pandemic-related issues in schools, sparking Eniola to design a pioneering air filtration system.
“My goal was to make something that everyone could afford and that could make schools safer,” Eniola said.
Eniola’s groundbreaking invention gained momentum with the support of University of Connecticut (UConn) scientists, who put it through rigorous testing. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) subsequently validated its efficacy, revealing that the device effectively removed over 99% of airborne viruses.
Eniola’s work has earned her widespread acclaim from state officials, and she is now poised to take her innovative air filters nationwide.
“A lot of people don’t realize that the only thing standing between them and getting sick is science,” the 6th grader said. “If we are not investing in that, then we are not investing in the kids.”
“I want them to go to school knowing that they’re safe, that they’re healthy, that they can learn,” Eniola Shokunbi said. “I really love explaining to people and seeing their faces, seeing them realize that this could change so many lives.”