Use of case studies of natural selection in biology teaching at lower secondary level

In order to really understand the living world, the knowledge of evolutionary theory is essential. High-quality biological knowledge is all the more necessary for the proper ruling on contemporary problems of humanity. I explore the requirements for the teaching of evolutionary theory in biology curricula from different periods of slovenian education system and the corresponding textbooks. Following the introduction of nine-year primary school, the teachers were only required to teach evolution in conjunction with systematics and evolutionary history, knowledge of the mechanisms of evolution however was not required. The new curriculum for biology from 2011 regards evolution as a central concept in biology, so I wanted to know how well elementary school teachers are prepared for teaching evolution in more detail. The survey results show a need for modern materials in Slovenian language that would help teachers in teaching evolutionary theory. To help teachers I investigate and describe two recent case studies of evolution by natural selection that teachers can use in elementary school. The first example describes the rapid evolution of the polynesian field cricket (Teleogryllus oceanicus) on Hawaii, another example describes the evolution of permanent lactose tolerance in humans