Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace, braved the unknown to give the world a remarkable window into humankind’s closest living relatives: chimpanzees.

A childhood fascination with nature led Dr. Goodall to spend her career studying the lives of chimpanzees in the wild. Rather than viewing the animals as subjects, Dr. Goodall considered them individuals with personalities and emotions—a notion once rejected by the scientific world, but now considered groundbreaking. Today, her work continues to guide the next generation of scientists and researchers and has expanded to advocacy for the conservation of the environment and animals across the globe.

In this hands-on, transportive multimedia exhibition celebrating her extraordinary life and work, guests will explore Dr. Goodall’s early years through iconic images and a multiscreen experience and venture on an immersive projection of Tanzania’s Gombe Stream National Park where she did her famous behavioral research on chimps.

Neville Crenshaw, manager of special exhibitions, is enthusiastic about the opportunity to experience the story of the legendary Jane Goodall through her own perspective. “Reading her hand-written notes and walking through memories of her first experiences, you’ll feel as though she’s telling you a remarkable story of her life’s work. Particularly exciting is a recreation of her first expedition tent, where you can see where her days started and ended while studying these fascinating creatures.”

Guests will also see a life-size hologram of Dr. Goodall and learn about her current role as a leader in community-centered conservation and youth empowerment. Finally, guests will find out what they can do today to make a positive impact in the world.

Crenshaw explains, “Not one to rest on her laurels, Jane then guides you through her current work as a conservationist and the importance of preserving habitats for chimpanzees and other primates. She calls us all to action to ensure these beautiful places and the animals within them remain intact.”

Dr. Goodall has truly changed the world, starting with a small child’s dream. Guests can discover their own world-changing dreams while being inspired by her groundbreaking accomplishments. Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Dr. Jane Goodall is an exhibition organized and traveled by the National Geographic Society in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute. The special exhibition will open to the public on Friday, October 7, 2022 at the Saint Louis Science Center.