Your right that the "creation vs evolution" controversy is a big subject. But it is my opinion that it can be pared down to size with some specfific steps.
1. Time frame.
There are those who think that the time available is 1,000,000 times less than others think. This is kinda a big descrepancy, no? That needs to be settled first.
2. What evidence is there for one or the other?
Part of (but by no means the major part) the evidence for evolution is the history of life on the planet. The geology and the fossils embedded in it is important. One side attempts to explain this with a recent, global flood. It is necessary to get past that before carrying on.
3. What exactly does each side say?
The creationists are all over the map. Each individual seems to have their own idiosyncratic take on it. (In fact, if you can hold them still long enough to keep talking about it they often have multiple contradictory views.) You need to nail that down.
Then you need to get a basic understanding of what the theory of evolution actually is. You seem to be working on this now. I'll get to that in a subsequent post. (btw, disclaimer -- I'm not a biologist either ).
4. Make Inferences.
Once you understand the evidence and what both sides are saying you have to test the suggestions against the evidence.
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