The research site was a metropolitan co-educational high school with an enrolment of 960
students in years 8 to 12. The school is located in a middle class suburb of Perth, Western
Australia. The science department is well resourced with two full time laboratory
technicians, computer support and access to a wide range of laboratory equipment. Most
of the staff are experienced teachers who regularly participate in science professional
development. The research was conducted with Mr. D, a well regarded biology teacher with
19 years experience and his two year 10 classes of 28 and 27 students respectively. Year 10
students (14–15 years) were chosen as the research sample because genetics is typically
taught in year 10 in Australian schools. After year 10, science is no longer a compulsory
subject and only one third of students continue with biology.