As the Harvard Business Review points out,

‘Contrary to the belief that total freedom fosters creativity, research shows that certain constraints can actually boost creative output.’

Scott Sonenshein, 2016
Harvard Business Review

That’s exactly why Challenge-Based Learning works, it sets real-world boundaries that spark innovation, pushing students to think creatively within meaningful limits.

What makes a Good Challenge?

  1. It has real-world relevance — it addresses problems that matter to people, communities, or the planet.
  2. It’s open-ended and creative, with no single right answer.
  3. It includes flexible constraints — clear boundaries for time, resources, and impact.
  4. It involves stakeholders, encouraging co-design with users, experts, and peers.
  5. It’s always learning-focused, building skills, new perspectives, and systems thinking.

“If you want to understand something, try to change it.”  Kurt Lewin
Be challenge creators, not just solvers.