Research has shown that many people hold alternative conceptions in even basic concepts and processes in science. It is thus important that future teachers that work from inquiry-based methodologies to understand such alternative conceptions and the challenges in altering them. To promote this, an Elementary Science Methods professor created a Reasons for the Seasons project that all students complete as a research paper. Starting from the film A Private Universe, elementary education students chose from a suite of strategies to attempt to cause disequilibration in project participants identified as holding alternative conceptions related to the reasons for the seasons. The presentation includes the perspectives of several present students. Intended audience include methods instructors and pre-service and practicing teachers.
