Industry Voices: Eniola Shokunbi
At Syska we talk a lot about the benefits of STEM education and of good indoor air quality (IAQ). So when we learned about Eniola Shokunbi, we knew we had to interview her for our Industry Voices Q&A. Eniola, who is only 12, has made great strides in both STEM and IAQ.
Three years ago, when Covid-19 was still spreading rapidly through schools and other institutions, Eniola read about scientists at the University of Connecticut who created a low-cost, DIY air purifier, called a Corsi-Rosenthal Box, which they presented at the White House.
The mention of the White House captured Eniola’s attention because she hopes to become the first female African American president. But soon another aspect of the story piqued her interest: Having seen so many of her classmates and teachers frequently suffer from viruses, colds, and allergies, she thought the machines would be helpful in her school. So she wrote to the head of the UConn Indoor Air Quality Initiative and asked for the blueprints.
The UConn scientists responded to her letter by visiting Eniola’s classroom and showing the students how to make the air purifiers. Eniola and her classmates then made their own, and subsequently saw a major decrease in the incidence of colds, viruses, and allergies. This decrease isn’t surprising: When Eniola and UConn traveled to the EPA Research Triangle Park campus in North Carolina to observe the testing of the Corsi-Rosenthal Box at one of the EPA labs, the tests showed that the air filter removed more than 99% of viruses within one hour.
Eniola was so inspired by these experiences that she decided to launch an effort to bring the air purifiers to every school in Connecticut, followed by every school in the United States, and eventually to countries like Nigeria, where her parents come from.
So far, the effort has met with great success. In late 2024, The State Bond Commission of Connecticut allocated $11.5 million for the distribution of materials to build Corsi-Rosenthal boxes at every school in the state. Eniola has received awards from Forbes Woman, the NAACP, the State of Connecticut, the American Lung Association Lung Health Leadership Award, and other entities. Furthermore, many prestigious media outlets and nonprofit organizations are covering her story. Click here to see some of the stories and videos. Prepare to be inspired!
Amid her many travels and speeches, not to mention her middle-school activities, Eniola took the time to speak to Connections about her campaign for cleaner air, her perceptions of STEM education, and her future plans.
Eniola was so inspired by these experiences that she decided to launch an effort to bring the air purifiers to every school in Connecticut, followed by every school in the United States, and eventually to countries like Nigeria, where her parents come from.
Connections: You’ve stated that you had little interest in STEM before you learned about the Corsi-Rosenthal Box. So how did you end up at the Macdonough STEM Academy?
Eniola: In third grade I was nominated for the Talent And Gifted (TAG) program, which was held at Macdonough, so I went there for fourth and fifth grades.
Connections: What advice do you have for 1) people who want to get more involved in STEM, and 2) people who aren’t interested in STEM at all?
Eniola: I hope I don’t sound like a Disney princess with some cheesy advice, but for the people who aren’t interested, I’d suggest that they think about how much STEM or science has on your daily life. It doesn’t matter what age you are. Sometimes I come across people in their 40s and they’re just learning about science, and that’s fine. What I’d focus on is how you can use science or STEM to create a better environment for everyone.
For the people who are interested in science, I’d say to continue exploring it, and try to make such big, amazing discoveries or inventions that people who aren’t interested in science will wonder about and want to learn more. You can always think of ways to get them interested. If someone likes baking, ask how the heat affects what’s in the oven. Ask why an egg is needed. What does it do to the food? The baker will start thinking about these questions and might want to start researching and finding answers. Science is all about curiosity and what-ifs. Science will have an answer to almost every question you ask.
Connections: You have two younger siblings. Are they interested in STEM?
Eniola: Well, the youngest is very interested. She’s always mixing up concoctions that get around the house and I have to clean them up. She does lots of experiments with food that explodes everywhere. My other sister is more into computer science. She can already code!
Eniola has received awards from Forbes Woman, the NAACP, the State of Connecticut, the American Lung Association Lung Health Leadership Award, and other entities. Furthermore, many prestigious media outlets and nonprofit organizations are covering her story.
Connections: Your ultimate goal is to become the first female African American president, but what are your goals in the shorter term?
Eniola: I think I’d be a really good lawyer because I debate with my mom all the time. I’ve learned tricks from debates in my history class that I practice on my mom and my sisters, and guess who wins every debate? Me. I used to want to be a ballerina; maybe I can take lessons on the side. I do want to do something in science, but not necessarily become a science teacher (no disrespect) because I have my law thing, but I could teach people about science and STEM in my spare time. I’d make it really fun, and I’d let my students eat all the marshmallows and chocolates they want during class.
Connections: What advice do you have for others who seek support or funding for their initiatives from governmental and nonprofit organizations?
Eniola: You have to be patient and write a lot of letters. I’d say just be prepared for anything and everything. If you want to make an impact or complete a mission, you have to be prepared for change, good or bad. The important thing is to not let the bad things bring you down. When my mom is composting, she takes all the stinky banana peels and other stuff and puts them in the garden. The plants don’t mind that stinky stuff; they use it to grow better and stronger.
Connections: Is there anything else you’d like to mention that we haven’t covered today?
Eniola: Yes. I like cats, baking, slime, dancing, crystal painting and I love reading!
Connections wishes the best of luck to Eniola, who starts high school next year (she skipped 6th grade). We suggest our readers keep the year 2047 in mind – that’s when Eniola will turn 35 and become eligible for the presidency of the United States.
In the interim, if you’d like to make a Corsi-Rosenthal box yourself, Eniola shows you how in this video. Enjoy your clean air!