ABSTRACT
Reproduction is a key characteristic of all living organisms, yet school biology often pays little or no attention to reproduction in taxa other than humans and a small number of ‘typical’ flowering plants. In this chapter, I argue that there is still much value in a traditional introduction to life cycles and reproduction in a large range of taxa. I go on to consider such issues as the reasons why sex evolved and the diversity of ways in which sex is determined. The second topic addressed in this chapter is sex education, sometimes referred to as sex and relationships education. There is more to sex education than school biology education, yet biology teachers can play an important role in sex education. At the same time, many teachers find it challenging to teach sex education well. I consider what makes for an appropriate sex education course, considering such issues as comprehensive sex education versus abstinence education and how school sex education can address questions to do with sexual orientation.
