What Causes the Seasons?

One of the greatest misconceptions in science is the cause of the seasons here on Earth.  In an attempt to "crack" this misconception this year, students wrote down their theory as to the cause of seasons before beginning the lab.  Most students had at least one part mentioning that Earth is closer to the sun in summer and farther away in winter.  After analyzing graphs and charts of average temperatures across the globe in different seasons, interpreting charts on amount of daylight across globe, and using blow dryers to create direct and indirect heat on cardboard, we moved into the science of the seasons.  Students learned that seasons are caused by the tilt of the axis and the direct or indirect light this produces in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.  Many students also were not aware that when it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere.  We still have more to go, but by the end of day one's lab, at least no one was saying the seasons are caused by being closer to the sun based on its orbit.