Special Collection
Jane Goodall
A legendary scientist, conservationist, and humanitarian whose groundbreaking discoveries shaped our understanding of what it is to be human
Photograph by Michael Nichols/National Geographic Creative.
Photograph by Hugo Van Lawick/National Geographic Creative
Photograph by Michael Nichols/National Geographic Creative
In the 1960s, with no formal academic training, Jane Goodall ventured into the forests of what is now Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania, to observe chimpanzees in the wild. During her time there, she made several observations about chimpanzee behavior that challenged conventional scientific theories held at the time, including chimpanzees are omnivores, not herbivores; chimpanzees make and use tools; and chimpanzees have complex social interactions. These insights altered the way we understood our place in the natural order and Jane’s work opened doors for other women in science. Although Jane stopped doing fieldwork in 1986, she is still hard at work today, traveling approximately 300 days a year, raising awareness and money to protect the chimpanzees and their habitat through her nonprofit organization, the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), and JGI’s youth program, Roots & Shoots.
Use the educator resources below to teach about the importance of conservation and how today’s students—and tomorrow's leaders—can make an impact.
Museum Exhibit Toolkit
This educator toolkit contains resources for upper elementary and middle school students designed to support a visit to the Becoming Jane exhibition at the National Geographic museum which is now online!
Featured Materials
Check out this article, idea set, and media spotlight on Jane Goodall
Be Like Jane: Observing, Conserving, and Communicating
Jane Goodall is a world-famous ethnologist and conservationist. Use these ideas to learn more about the contributions she made to science and those who have continued her work.
Jane Goodall: Reporting from Gombe Stream Game Reserve
Original correspondence from Jane Goodall to the National Geographic Society on the status of her research in September 1962.
Jane Goodall
Ethologist and conservationist Jane Goodall redefined what it means to be human and set the standard for how behavioral studies are conducted through her work with wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania.
Does Tool Use Define Man?
A key observation Jane Goodall noted while studying at Gombe Stream National Park was that chimpanzees made and used tools. Prior to this discovery, scientists accepted that trait as a definition of humanity.
Banana Thief
The chimpanzees that Jane Goodall began studying stole bananas from her tent. At first, Jane was ecstatic, but she soon learned that feeding the chimps had consequences.
National Geographic Documentary Films
Drawing from over 100 hours of never-before-seen footage from the National Geographic archives, award-winning director Brett Morgen tells the story of Jane Goodall, a woman whose chimpanzee research challenged the male-dominated scientific consensus of her time and revolutionized our understanding of the natural world. Set to a rich orchestral score from legendary composer Philip Glass, the film offers an unprecedented, intimate portrait of Jane—a trailblazer who defied the odds to become one of the world’s most admired conservationists.
Airing on National Geographic. Visit www.janethemovie.com for more information.
Disclaimer: The content of this guide is solely the responsibility of the author and does not represent the official views of National Geographic Education.
Kahoot!
Engage your students with this Kahoot on geography, wildlife, and habitats. For additional instruction, options, and how to make your own Kahoot, see details.
Kahoot! In the Field with Jane Goodall
Answer questions about geography, wildlife, and evolution using clips from National Geographic’s Jane documentary.
Dear Jane
Have your students write a letter to conservationist Jane Goodall
Jane Goodall writes a letter during a boat ride on Lake Tanganyika from Kigoma to Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania.
Photograph courtesy of Michael "Nick" Nichols/National Geographic Creative
Jane Goodall was the first person to observe chimpanzees creating and using tools—a trait that, at that time, was thought to be distinctly human. This discovery changed the way that we understand both animals and ourselves. With your class, read a letter written by Jane Goodall from the National Geographic archive. Then ask your students to respond to the prompt, “You have inspired me to be the first to…” Submit your students’ letters to National Geographic, where a committee will review and select exemplary letters to post online. Teachers who submit letters on behalf of their students will receive a copy of the film and the discussion guide.
Lesson and Activities
Use these materials to teach students about conducting expeditions like Jane’s and getting involved in conservation work.
Blue Holes: Being an Explorer
Lesson (Grade 7-12) This series of activities takes students through a process from defining exploration to planning, carrying out, and communicating the outcomes of a micro-expedition.
Classifying Information
Activity (Grades 3-5) Students practice classification skills using a collection of their shoes.
Observing and Recording Habitats
Activity (Grade 3-5) Students select a habitat, observe it, and record their observations.
Preserving Critical Species: Inquiry to Action
Activity (Grades 7-12) Students identify and research compelling and supporting questions, leading them to develop explanations and arguments and, ultimately, to take action on issues related to preservation of species.
Species Identification
Activity (Grades 6-12) Students consult expert resources to identify organisms observed during a plot study, and then use this research to complete species inventory cards that represent the biodiversity of the area studied.
Threatened Animals & Their Habitats
Activity (Grades 3-5) Students use Photo Ark images to research dangers affecting animals’ existence, then use the information to investigate links between habitat, ecosystem, and animal livelihood or extinction.
High-Resolution Maps
Get up close with these high resolution maps of Africa.
2005 Africa Human Footprint Map
Investigate our world. Zoom in on this map examining human impact on the environment in Africa.
1963 Africa, Countries of the Nile
Published in the October 1963 edition of National Geographic Magazine, this is a map of the region when Jane Goodall began her work with the chimpanzees.
Image Gallery
Although Jane initially balked at having Hugo van Lawick document her work with the chimpanzees, their partnership resulted in these beautiful images.
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Gombe, Tanzania - David Greybeard was the first chimp to lose his fear of Jane, eventually coming to her camp to steal bananas and allowing Jane to touch and groom him. As the film JANE depicts, Jane and the other Gombe researchers later discontinued feeding and touching the wild chimps.
Photography by Hugo Van Lawick/National Geographic Creative -
Gombe, Tanzania - Jane Goodall and infant chimpanzee Flint reach out to touch each other's hands. Flint was the first infant born at Gombe after Jane arrived. With him, she had a great opportunity to study chimp development—and to have physical contact, which is no longer deemed appropriate with chimps in the wild.
Photography by Hugo Van Lawick/National Geographic Creative
Disclaimer: Jane goodall is shown here feeding and touching wild chimpanzees. This is now known to be poor scientific practice and can be dangerous for both the wild animal and the human.
Follow Jane
Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots Program
Roots & Shoots provides young people with the knowledge, tools, and hopeful inspiration to improve the environment and the quality of life for people and animals.
the Jane Goodall Institute
A global conservation organization that believes by protecting chimpanzees and inspiring people to conserve the natural world we all share, we improve the lives of people, and animals, and the environment.
Other Resources
Check out these other National Geographic Programs!
Explorers in the Classroom
Transport your students from the classroom to the frontiers of exploration through live video conversations with National Geographic Explorers.
Educator Certification
Join the 30,000+ educators who have completed a National Geographic teacher training program.
National Geographic Bee
The National Geographic Bee is an annual competition organized by the National Geographic Society, designed to inspire and reward students' curiosity about the world.