05/05/2021
ALL FEMALE 4TH YEAR RESEARCH TEAM
Research Topic: Steam/Fire Wara - Ethanol Content in Hanua Bada Steam
As part of their final year project, a team of three female students - Melody Tarp, Susan Tawina and Hannah Paeke, researched on the ethanol content of the popular "fire wara" alcohol that is produced and sold in Hanua Bada.
WHAT WAS YOUR RESEARCH ABOUT?
"Our research was basically to test for the ethanol content of steam/fire wara. High alcohol percentage in alcohol beverages can cause damage to the human body, hence, our research. Due to time factor, we decided to purchase an already fermented steam on the shelves of Hanua Bada and test for the alcohol content. From what we were told, the already fermented steam was graded as A, B and C according to the separation and percentage composition. A grade had a higher alcohol percentage because it was separated first while C grade had a lower alcohol percentage because it was separated last. We took those three samples to test for the alcohol (ethanol) composition and to know how much harm in can cause on people who consume it.
In the process, we came up with the new distilled product of Whiskey. So we basically did two things in one research." - Melody Tarp
WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU ENCOUNTER WHILE DOING YOUR RESEARCH?
"Working in a group was a challenge for me beause in a group, when someone comes up with an idea or suggestion, the group has to agree. If there is a disagreement in the group, there's disharmony and members may not work along well. My group and I may have had disagreements along the way but we overcame all of them. My advice to those who choose to venture into research is that, when you work in a group, it is important to be neutral. Have an open mind, try as much as possible to stay positive and never give up." - Hannah Paeke
WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THIS EXPERIENCE?
"I have heard from fellow Chemists who have done training in industries and also Chemists in industries that researching is no easy task. It takes time, effort, costs money, enhance patience and determination. However, I personally have learnt two important things in this research:
1. When you work in a team, you have to know you're not the only one with ideas. You have group members who also have ideas for light to be shed on. Always keep an open mind about things and always be ready to learn.
2. Be patient. Great things don't just happen overnight. If it doesn't go as planned, think of other ways to get it done. Be logically determined to create a mental and physical researching environment for yourself because just as much as you cannot force chemistry to happen, you also cannot stop it when it does so." - Susan Tawina
Photo (L-R): Hannah Paeke, Melody Tarp and Susan Tawina.