When you think of solving complex public health challenges, you might imagine teams of scientists in sophisticated laboratories or veteran engineers with decades of experience. You probably wouldn’t picture a fifth-grade student working on a class project. Yet Eniola Shokunbi, a 12-year-old middle school student from Connecticut, has proven that innovation knows no age limits.
In a world still navigating the challenges of a post-pandemic era, Shokunbi didn’t just identify a problem—she engineered a solution. Her invention? A remarkably effective air filter that eliminates over 99% of airborne viruses in classrooms, built from materials you might find in any hardware store. More impressive still, her design costs just $60 per unit, making it accessible to schools across America. Shokunbi’s design, reminiscent of the increasingly popular ‘Corsi-Rosenthal Box’—a DIY air filter that gained recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic—utilizes readily available materials to create a powerful and affordable solution.
“A lot of people don’t realize that the only thing standing between them and getting sick is science,” Shokunbi says, her words distilling complex issues into simple truths. “If we’re not investing in that, then we’re not investing in kids’ futures.” Her commitment to creating accessible solutions is rooted in this belief, emphasizing the crucial role science plays in protecting public health.
This commitment to accessible solutions caught the attention of Connecticut State Senator Matt Lesser, who recognized something special in the young innovator’s approach. What started as a fifth-grade project at Commodore MacDonough STEM Academy soon captured the imagination of state officials, culminating in an unprecedented $11.5 million project from the Connecticut State Bond Commission to implement her design in schools across the state. Shokunbi leads the project to build low-cost classroom air filters for schools. Her project has already garnered significant recognition and has the potential to impact the health and well-being of countless students.
Eniola Shokunbi Genius Idea
Using just a box fan, four furnace filters, duct tape, and cardboard, she created a system that rivals—and often outperforms—commercial air purifiers costing many times more. “The air goes through all the sides, and it comes out of the top, so it filters in and out,” she explains. But don’t let the simplicity fool you.
Shokunbi’s success wasn’t a solo effort. She collaborated with scientists at the University of Connecticut who provided valuable support, helping to test and refine her design. When the Environmental Protection Agency tested Shokunbi’s design, they found it removed over 99% of virus particles from the air, exceeding the effectiveness of many commercial products. This wasn’t just a school project anymore—it was a legitimate public health solution.
The implementation of her design is now being managed through the University of Connecticut’s “SAFE-CT” program (Supplemental Air Filtration for Education), which aims to ensure every public school classroom in Connecticut has access to these effective air purification systems. It’s a testament to how one student’s innovative thinking can scale to impact thousands of lives.
For Shokunbi, this success is just the beginning. She envisions her low-cost air filters in every classroom across America, democratizing access to clean air in educational spaces. Her advocacy extends beyond the technical aspects of her invention—she’s become a powerful voice for STEM education and the importance of nurturing young innovators, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.
The young inventor’s achievements extend beyond air filtration. She’s also won national recognition in other areas, including a national essay contest for the SIFMA Foundation’s InvestWrite competition. When asked about her future aspirations, Shokunbi speaks with characteristic determination about her goal to become the first African American female president of the United States. She is inspiring her peers to dream big and act boldly, and educators, policymakers, and communities to invest in the next generation of innovators. For Shokunbi, it’s a step toward a future where every child has the tools and opportunities to thrive.
Shokunbi’s story is particularly compelling as it sits at the intersection of talent, opportunity, and the complex dynamics of global migration. As a Nigerian-American, her success has been celebrated on both sides of the Atlantic—in American media as a testament to young American innovation, and in Nigerian publications as a source of national pride. Her achievements highlight both the opportunities afforded by America’s robust educational system and the broader implications of talent migration from developing nations. While her success in Connecticut showcases the potential unleashed when young minds are given the right resources and support, it also prompts reflection on how many brilliant young innovators in Nigeria and other developing nations might lack similar opportunities to develop their talents.
Her story reminds us on the concept of Occam’s Razor that The simplest solution or explanation is often the best one and that innovation doesn’t always require massive budgets or cutting-edge laboratories. Sometimes, it just takes a curious mind, a supportive environment, and the courage to believe that even the youngest among us can create solutions that change the world. Moreover, her story serves as a compelling case study in how developed nations can better support and nurture talent from diverse backgrounds, while also raising important questions about global equity in access to educational opportunities – to create similar pathways to success for young innovators worldwide, ensuring that geographical location and economic circumstances don’t determine the extent to which brilliant minds can contribute to solving global challenges.
