Welcome to Week 6

Welcome to week six of the HPW online course or, as statisticians like to call it, the 60% mark. Last week we introduced biology, how it came about, and how it needs water. This week and next, we examine why biology is important to a habitable planet. In doing so, we come inescapably to the rather paradoxical conclusion that life itself is required to make our planet habitable! Olwethu will give us a nice recap on photosynthesis; a process that traps the sun's energy in a form useable by life. As such, photosynthesis is key to making the planet habitable. You might therefore think we can finish our model Earth with one species of plant, and the model world we have built would be perfectly habitable (aside that is from the lack of Playstations). However, as Zozo will tell us, in our constantly changing climate complex ecosystems are required; these being more robust against the constant climatic variations our planet experiences. Biodiversity is therefore key to a habitable planet. Now that we have populated our "boring" physical model with a plethora of amazing biological organisms, things will never be the same.

1. This Week's Lectures

Core Science 11: Plants and photosynthesis with Olwethu Soko

Olwethu is a dedicated and driven conservationist with a strong foundation in both plant and animal biology. Her passion for the natural world has flourished since her university years at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), where she earned a BSc in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology. She later obtained a BSc (Hons) in Ichthyology and Fisheries Science from Rhodes University, developing deep interests in fisheries, population genomics, thermal biology, physiology, and fish behaviour.

In 2023, Olwethu joined HPW family as a Planeteer attending HPW40 and later applied to serve as a core lecturer for 2025. She is currently employed as a Research Assistant at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), contributing to the Natural Science Collections Facility project, which focuses on digitising collections and establishing virtual museums through visits to herbariums across South Africa.

Core Science 12: Biodiversity and Food Webs with Nthabeleng Zozo

Zozo holds an MSc in Environmental Management, a qualification she was inspired to pursue through her involvement with ACCESS. She is currently employed as an intern at SANRAL under the Environmental and Land Acquisitions division.

Her journey with ACCESS began in 2020 when she attended the 34th Habitable Planet Workshop (HPW) as a Planeteer. She later became a core lecturer for HPW 39 and went on to serve as both a core lecturer and a member of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for HPW 41 and HPW 42. Her leadership continued to grow as she took on the role of Provincial Representative for Gauteng under the Planeteer Representative Council (PRC).

In 2024, Zozo worked as a library material writer for the Department of Geography, Environmental Management, and Energy Studies. Drawing from her lecturing experience, she applied the hierarchy of models to develop outstanding educational materials that were recognised for their quality and innovation.

Her passion for education and youth development led her to join the ACCESS Schools Programme in 2023 as Secretary, and she was later appointed Deputy Chairperson in 2024 and 2025. She leads the Planet Project Model, an initiative that helps learners build their own Earth models to understand why Earth is habitable. Zozo remains committed to the Schools Programme and is passionate about serving as a role model to her peers and young learners.

2. This Week's Reading

You just heard from Zozo about why we need to conserve biodiversity. Now discover "Why we don't need Pandas" !

It's not reading per say but looking at pictures, nonetheless check out the new Everyday Extinction Project.

3. Special South Africa

Today, we take a look at why South Africa is a biodiversity hotspot

This video was made by ACCESS some years ago. It nicely brings together many of the things we have learnt in the course thus far.

4. Critical Eye from a Science Guy (or Girl)

Is panspermia an option? With Dr Chris Bennett

This week, Chris gives his sceptical input on "the origins of life". Could life really have survived outer space?

We also recommend listening to this podcast “should we pander to pandas?” which critically engages with some of the core ideas of conservation and reading this article on “why we don’t believe science”.

5. Hangout with a scientists

Catch up with our 2nd 2025 hangout. This time Dr Carl gets to meet Lola and Noxolo.

6. This Week's Cartoon

Why Science Teachers should not be given playground duty.

7. This Week's Test

When you are ready to test with the best in a vest:
Week 6 Test.

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