What Are Driving Questions?

Driving questions are thought-provoking, open-ended questions designed to guide inquiry, inspire curiosity, and focus learning—especially in project-based learning (PBL) environments. They’re not simple yes/no questions or ones with a single correct answer. Instead, they encourage students (or participants) to explore, investigate, and discover complex ideas through research, collaboration, and reflection.

A good driving question acts as the north star of a project. It frames the entire learning experience, helping learners stay focused while still allowing flexibility for creativity and deeper inquiry. For example, instead of asking, “What is climate change?” a stronger driving question might be, “How might we design a local campaign to raise awareness about climate change solutions?”

How to Make a Good Driving Question

Crafting a strong driving question takes thought. A good one is:

• Open-ended – It invites exploration rather than a single answer.
• Authentic – It connects to real-world issues or student interests.
• Challenging – It demands critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Student-centered – It encourages ownership, inquiry, and engagement.
• Aligned with learning goals – It supports the skills or standards being targeted.

You can test your driving question by asking: Will this lead to a meaningful investigation? Does it spark curiosity? Will it sustain interest over time?

If you’re feeling stuck or need a spark of inspiration, try our free Random Driving Question Generator. It helps educators, facilitators, and even students brainstorm powerful driving questions tailored to different subjects, themes, or grade levels.

Why Driving Questions Matter

Driving questions transform passive learning into active exploration. They give students a reason to care about what they’re learning. By framing the learning process as a mission or challenge, these questions motivate learners to think deeply, collaborate meaningfully, and produce more authentic work. In a world that values curiosity and adaptability, mastering the art of crafting great driving questions is a skill worth cultivating.