STEM BUDDIES

← Back to blog

Published on 29/10/2024 by James Best

Jane Goodall: The Chimpanzee Whisperer

Hello, young wildlife explorers! Today we’re going on an amazing adventure to meet someone really special. Her name is Jane Goodall, and she’s spent most of her life studying our closest animal relatives - chimpanzees!

Meet Jane

Imagine being so brave that you’d leave your home to live in the jungle! That’s exactly what Jane did. When she was young, she loved reading books about animals, especially Tarzan. But instead of just reading about adventures, she decided to have her own!

The African Adventure Begins

In 1960, Jane travelled to Tanzania in Africa. She didn’t have any fancy university degrees - just a notebook, binoculars, and a massive love for animals. She went into the Gombe forest to study chimpanzees, but there was one tiny problem… the chimps kept running away!

Making Friends with Chimps

Jane was super patient. She would sit quietly for hours, watching the chimps from far away. Slowly but surely, they got used to her being there. One chimp, who she named David Greybeard because of his white beard, was the first to trust her. He even showed her something amazing - chimps could make tools!

Incredible Discoveries

Want to know what Jane discovered about chimps? Here are some brilliant facts:

Saving the Chimps

Jane saw that chimps needed our help. Their homes in the forests were being cut down, and some were being caught for zoos. So she became their protector! She travels around the world telling everyone about how amazing chimps are and why we need to save them.

Jane’s Special Message

Jane has a special message for kids like you: “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” She believes that every single person can help make the world better for animals.

Be a Wildlife Champion

Want to be like Jane? Here are some things you can do:

Fun Chimp Facts

Did you know?

Remember, Jane started her journey just by being curious and caring about animals. You can make a difference too! Keep exploring, keep learning, and keep caring about our amazing animal friends.

What will you discover on your adventures?

Written by James Best

← Back to blog
  • The Thirsty Plant: Unlocking Nature's Magic Straw!

    The Thirsty Plant: Unlocking Nature's Magic Straw!

    Ever wondered how plants drink water from the soil? Get ready to uncover the incredible science behind nature's magic straw – capillary action! Through mind-blowing experiments and fun facts, you'll discover the secrets of how water defies gravity and travels up the tiny tubes inside plant stems.

  • How Do Mighty Bridges Stay Up? Unravelling the Engineering Magic!

    How Do Mighty Bridges Stay Up? Unravelling the Engineering Magic!

    Have you ever wondered how huge bridges manage to stay up and not come crashing down? Get ready to explore the mind-boggling science and clever tricks that make these engineering marvels possible! 🌉✨

  • Brilliant Boffins: Barbara McClintock - The Gene Detective

    Brilliant Boffins: Barbara McClintock - The Gene Detective

    Join us on an exciting journey to discover Barbara McClintock, the amazing scientist who cracked the code of jumping genes and changed how we understand genetics forever!

  • Chameleons' Colour-Changing Capers: A Rainbow Reptile Riddle!

    Chameleons' Colour-Changing Capers: A Rainbow Reptile Riddle!

    Ever wondered how chameleons magically change colour? Get ready to unravel nature's most colourful mystery! In this fun-filled adventure, we'll explore the amazing science behind these rainbow reptiles and even try some colour-changing tricks of our own. Prepare to be amazed!

  • The Spectacular Science of Sound: Make Music with Everyday Objects!

    The Spectacular Science of Sound: Make Music with Everyday Objects!

    Have you ever wondered how music makes its way into your ears? 🎶 Sound is all around us, from the chirping of birds to the rumble of a passing train.

  • Caroline Herschel: The Comet-Hunting Queen of the Night Sky 🌠

    Caroline Herschel: The Comet-Hunting Queen of the Night Sky 🌠

    Get ready to meet one of the greatest astronomers of all time - Caroline Herschel! This brilliant woman discovered tons of comets and even had one named after her. We'll learn about her amazing life, try some stellar stargazing, and see if you have what it takes to be a comet hunter too!