Renowned Primatologist Inspires Pocantico Students

Pocantico Hills School students in third, fifth, sixth and seventh grade on April 9 had a window into primatologist Jane Goodall’s life’s work of protecting chimpanzees and promoting conservation efforts in Africa.

Microsoft’s Skype in the Classroom hosted a question-and-answer session for students around the world, including Egypt, India, Nigeria, Greece, Canada and the United States.

Nearly 60 years ago, Dr. Goodall traveled from the United Kingdom to what is now Tanzania to fulfill her childhood dream of observing and writing about animals in the wild. When she arrived in Africa at age 26, she met Dr. Louis Leakey, a Kenyan archaeologist and anthropologist who asked her to study chimpanzees and help save them from extinction.

Some of the questions for Dr. Goodall were how did she gain the trust of the chimpanzees and how did she overcome criticism early in her career? She said it took time and patience to bond with the animals.

As for the criticism, she wasn’t a scientist when she started out, so she didn’t care at first what others said about her. She later needed to become a “proper scientist” to stop medical research on chimpanzees. She received her doctorate in ethology -- the science of animal behavior -- in 1965.

When a student from Taiwan asked what young people can do to make a difference in the world, Dr. Goodall suggested joining the Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots and Shoots service program for young people.

“Every single day you live, you are making a difference,” she said. “You have choices as to how you behave, and if you think about it, then you’ll join our family that’s growing all around the world and changing the way we think about animals, the way we think about helping people, and the way we feel about preserving the environment.”

Students from around the world tweeted questions at Dr. Goodall that she planned to answer throughout the day.

Pocantico students said they were impressed by Dr. Goodall’s groundbreaking work and courage.

“It’s such an accomplishment to go out for years and just study and live with the wildlife,” said seventh-grader Mariah Newbey.

Classmate Maryum Faisal said Dr. Goodall is an inspiring woman, and a brave person to leave her life in England to live among chimpanzees. “Many men have completed great achievements. As a woman who has traveled around Africa and experienced first-hand life with chimpanzees, it’s quite outstanding to see what she’s done,” Maryum said.

This was the second Microsoft Skype in the Classroom session in a month that Pocantico students participated in. On March 6, fourth-graders watched a Skype session with Cressida Cowell, author and illustrator of the “How to Train Your Dragon” series.

“They are truly global events,” said Anne Price-Gordon, library media specialist, who organized both events at the school. “I am excited to have our kids see and hear children from all over the world.”