STEM-educated middle school student Eniola Shokunbi is well on her way to being a leader in respiratory care.

As reported by Shoppe Black, the 12-year-old Nigerian student based in Connecticut secured $11.5 million in funding for an air filtration system intended to fight off viral illnesses like COVID-19. Filters were built by Shokunbi and her classmates at Commodore MacDonough STEM Academy in Middletown in collaboration with scientists from the University of Connecticut. Both innovative and affordable, the system has a $60 production cost per unit and includes four furnace filters, cardboard, duct tape, and a box fan.

“The air goes through all the sides,” Shokunbi told NBC Connecticut. “And it comes out of the top, so it filters in and out.”

Shokunbi added that the classroom tool proved to be efficient and “showed that the air filter removed over 99% of viruses in the air. "

On Tuesday, November 19, Shokunbi was present when the State Bond Commission granted $11.5 million to install the air filter system in other schools statewide. Under the Supplemental Air Filtration for Education Program, UConn will receive funding from the project.

“A lot of people, they don’t realize sometimes, that the only thing standing between them and getting sick is science,” Shokunbi said. “If we’re not investing in that, then we’re not investing in the kids’ [futures].”

Shokubi now has a long-term plan to bring the air filter system to schools nationally, which she can positively achieve.

“I want them to go to school knowing that they’re safe, that they’re healthy, that they can learn,” Shokunbi said. “I really love explaining to people and seeing their faces, seeing them realize that this could change so many lives.”