12 Year Old Recieves $11.5 Million Dollars For Air Purifier Invention

Eniola Shokunbi achieved an innovative feat by developing virus-killing air filters for classrooms. She has received funding of $11.5 million from the Connecticut State Bond Commission, which will be used for the installation of her air purifier system in schools across Connecticut. 

12 Year Old Recieves $11.5 Million Dollars For Air Purifier Invention

Shokunbi's journey started in fifth grade at Commodore MacDonough STEM Academy in Middletown, Connecticut. In the wake of the pandemic, their teachers asked them to develop innovative solutions for the pandemic-related issues in schools. This fueled the development of her air-purifying system. 

Each prototype is priced at $60. This affordable model is a game changing, budget friendly, easy to implement model for schools. 

“My goal was to make something that everyone could afford and that could make schools safer,” Eniola quoted.

Testing & Validation Of The Model

Eniola Shokunbi, who wants to be the first female African American president of the United States when she grows up, wrote and mailed Marina Creed, director of The UConn Indoor Air Quality Initiative, a letter inviting UConn to her public school, which was built almost a century ago. The student wanted to have UConn’s help to build these air filters to improve her school’s indoor air quality, reduce her fellow students’ risk of illness, and also run her own science experiment testing the effectiveness of the devices across classrooms by tracking sick absences.

Scientists of the University of Connecticut (UConn) supported her project and put the model to rigorous testing. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has validated its efficiency in removing 99% of airborne viruses, including the infamous COVID-19 virus. 

Through UConn's SAFE-CT initiative, $11.5 million in funding is allocated in a comprehensive program designed to equip every public school classroom with air purification systems.

Eniola's work has gained the much deserved recognition, and she is set to take this model worldwide. Marina Creed also emphasised the importance of ensuring clean indoor air for everyone. She said, “Clean indoor air should be available to everyone. You can access clean air for only $60 worth of materials and 30 minutes of time. It is important that we all know how to protect ourselves. Teaching our community how they can stay safe and prevent illness from exposure to bad air is critical, especially in the face of a rapidly changing climate.”