Eniola Shokunbi, a 12-year-old Nigerian from Connecticut, USA, has invented an air filter aimed at reducing the spread of airborne diseases in US schools.
Her design focuses on creating low-cost air filters for classrooms. The Connecticut State Bond Commission has approved $11.5 million in funding to support this initiative.
As a fifth-grader at Commodore MacDonough STEM Academy in Middletown, Shokunbi’s class was tasked with creating a solution to enhance school safety during future pandemics. In response, she developed a simple yet effective air filter system to combat airborne viruses like COVID-19.
Shokunbi’s air filter design combines innovation with affordability. The unit is made from a basic setup: a box fan, four furnace filters, duct tape, and cardboard. This simple assembly costs approximately $60 per unit, making it a budget-friendly alternative to commercial air purifiers.
“The air goes through all the sides, and it comes out of the top. So it filters in and out,” Shokunbi explained.
With support from scientists at the University of Connecticut (UConn), Shokunbi’s design underwent thorough testing. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) verified that the device removes over 99% of airborne viruses, highlighting its potential to enhance classroom safety.
The recent funding approval by the State Bond Commission dedicates $11.5 million to implementing these air filters in Connecticut schools. This funding is part of UConn’s SAFE-CT program (Supplemental Air Filtration for Education), which aims to equip every public school classroom with these essential air purification systems.
Shokunbi hopes to expand her vision beyond Connecticut, aspiring to see her air filters used in classrooms nationwide.
“Many people don’t realise that the only thing standing between them and getting sick is science,” she said, underscoring the need for investment in scientific solutions to protect children’s health.
