Evaluation of socio-cultural factors in the learning of human evolution in the urban context of Rome

Abstract

The teaching of evolutionary theory represents one of the most exciting challenges for science teachers. The learning of the main principles of biological evolution and, more particularly, the origin of human species could be influenced by the socio-cultural environment. Our preliminary investigation among final year students of high schools located in both the centre and outlying area of the city of Rome, Italy suggests that socio-cultural factors (family background, urban context and others) may affect the achievement of comprehending the scientific basis of human evolution during the high school formative process.