Being the heart of a project, either the problem or question can make learning more meaningful for students since they are learning because they have a real need to know something so they can use the knowledge to solve what matters to them.
The problem or question should be challenging , but not imtimidating. A piece of advice: write the central problem or question in the form of an open-ended, student-friendly "driving question".
Which is a relevant topic among students?
Think of a topic you want to cover taking into consideration students' interests and needs to make it relevant for them.
What should students learn and achieve?
Identify learning objectives according to the curriculum standards and students’ needs and competencies.
What will students do?
The Driving question is the main question to engage students and guide them throughout project, promoting further questioning and exploration of the selected topic.
It should be engaging and connect students to a community or social problem.
How will you launch your project?
Define if you will use a video, an expert speaker, field trip, etc.
A driving question is an open-ended question that includes a person covering a role, the action or challenge and the audience or purpose.
Examples:
How can I as undergraduate student get prepared for a job interview?
How can we as high-school students take care of the environment and inspire others in our city?
YouTube. (2025, May 7). Driving Questions [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PhVEoAeWbk