Middletown, Connecticut – What started as a small classroom observation by a 12-year-old has now grown into a multimillion-dollar public health initiative, proving that even the simplest ideas can spark big change.

From Classroom Concern to Action

Eniola Shokunbi, a student at Commodore MacDonough STEM Academy in Middletown, noticed that her classroom often felt stuffy. With windows and doors closed, illnesses spread quickly among her classmates. Rather than simply accept the problem, she reached out to the University of Connecticut (UConn) with an idea to build an affordable air filter for her school.

A DIY Design That Works

The design she developed with UConn experts is based on the well-known Corsi-Rosenthal box concept:

• Four furnace filters arranged in a cube,

• A standard box fan attached to the top,

• All sealed together with cardboard and duct tape.

The cost? About $60 per unit, far cheaper than commercial HEPA filters.

When tested in UConn’s bioaerosol laboratory, the device showed remarkable results. In trials using a surrogate virus (MS2 bacteriophage) to simulate SARS-CoV-2, the filter removed more than 99% of airborne viral particles within one hour. Additional studies in collaboration with Arizona State University found the DIY units even outperformed some commercial HEPA purifiers, making them both cost-effective and highly efficient.

$11.5 Million to Protect Students

In October 2024, the Connecticut State Bond Commission approved $11.5 million to expand the program statewide. Through UConn’s “SAFE-CT: Supplemental Air Filtration for Education” initiative, every public school classroom in Connecticut will receive one of these air filters.

The program is part of the state’s Clean Air Equity Response effort, aiming not only to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and seasonal flu but also to improve overall classroom air quality—something that directly affects student health, attendance, and academic performance.

Broader Impact and Challenges

Experts emphasize that while the devices work exceptionally well in lab settings, real-world results depend on proper maintenance:

• Filters need to be replaced regularly,

• Electrical safety must be ensured,

• Noise levels should be monitored in classrooms.

Even so, the benefits are clear: healthier learning environments, fewer sick days, and a scalable solution for schools with limited budgets.

A Lesson Beyond Science

Eniola’s project is more than just an invention—it is an example of how student initiative, academic support, and government funding can come together to create meaningful change. Her success also highlights the value of STEAM education, where young people are encouraged to solve real-world problems through creativity and science.

This Connecticut initiative is already being looked at as a model for other states and countries facing similar challenges in school environments.

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Conclusion

A low-cost box fan and furnace filter, guided by a determined 12-year-old, have turned into a statewide movement for clean air. With $11.5 million in funding, Connecticut is betting on innovation born in a classroom to safeguard the health of thousands of students.