The purpose of this project was to provide innovative and cutting edge genetics materials for 14-17 year olds (Year 10-12) in Australian schools, which aimed to engage students and encourage evidence based decision-making. In 2008, an Australian School Innovation in Science, Technology and Mathematics (ASISTM) project called "Genetics Education in the 21st Century" brought together seven biology teachers from secondary schools in Western Australia, together with genetic researchers and science educators from Western Australian universities and genetic researchers from industry, for a series of three days of Professional Development (PD) workshops. These workshops focussed on three genetic conditions which have an increasing prevalence in the Australian population, affect school aged children and have both genetic and environmental factors affecting their development. These conditions were asthma, coeliac disease and diabetes. Accurate, up-to-date and relevant curriculum materials based on each condition were developed, presented to teachers, trialled in classrooms and adjusted according to feedback. The materials were then published as a workbook, together with case studies designed to encourage students to use their understanding of genetics to make and support their decisions. This book was titled "Genetics education in the twenty-first century: a guide for Australian high school teachers". (Contains 6 figures.)