field of ethology This is the study of animal behavior Goodall became a powerful defender of chimpanzees Jane Goodall and STEM Goodall’s work blazed a path for women in STEM careers STEM stands for science technology engineering and mathematics Most people expect STEM careers to involve things such as computers rockets or robots Many of these careers do Even Goodall uses technology But her STEM career began with simple handwritten notes Goodall did not set out to open a path for women She was only following her dream She was determined to study animals in Africa She did 6 Inspiring Followers Jane Goodall’s work has inspired many women Two famous ones also worked with apes Like Goodall they lived in the wilderness Dian Fossey studied mountain gorillas in the African country of Rwanda She founded the Karisoke Research Center Dr Biruté Galdikas studied orangutans on the Asian island of Borneo She has received many awards for her work
not let anything stop her Goodall convinced people that chimps were not just research subjects They were individuals with personalities They had thoughts and emotions Before Goodall’s work scientists did not believe this Now they do A Different Kind of Pioneer Another pioneer lived a very different life Rachel Carson was a marine biologist She worked for the US Fish and Wildlife Service in the 1940s She wrote prize-winning books about oceans Then she became aware of dangerous pesticides She recognized they posed threats to wildlife 7 IN THE REAL WORLD Attacking a Female Scientist Pesticide companies called Rachel Carson a radical They said she was a sentimental nature lover who misused science Magazines such as Time and Life said she looked like more of a teacher or a stay-at home mother They ignored her scientific training Many people now call Carson the mother of the environmental movement But some still condemn her work
Carson took her conservation message to the US Senate in 1963 She spent years researching their effects In 1962 she published her book Silent Spring Silent Spring warned people of the risks of certain pesticides The companies that made these chemicals criticized her Carson battled people in the chemical industry and the government The attacks did not stop her She spoke before Congress She asked for new rules to protect the environment The government banned 8
a pesticide called DDT Carson’s Silent Spring helped inspire an environmental movement Women STEM and Conservation Conservation and environmental studies form one STEM field Scientists in this field do many things They preserve animal habitats They collect information about wildlife They carry out plans to protect nature Many write about environmental problems Others measure or repair damage to ecosystems They clean up polluted areas Conservation jobs are exciting People in conservation can make a real difference in the world These workers are more important every year Human populations spread out and take over natural habitats Animals lose their homes People kill animals for money or products such as ivory from elephants The animals may become endangered They may even go extinct Conservationists try to prevent this They work hard and get dirty They sometimes even face danger 9
