Is Groot more plant or animal? Did Dinosaurs drink the same water that we are drinking today? Fate or Free Will, which contribute more to the deaths of Romeo and Juliet? Provocative questions such as these can be powerful ways to engage students in rich inquiry. Unfortunately, questions such as these are too often used at the end of learning. Used as a launch they can be highly effective diagnostic tools, and create terrific opportunities for iterative learning whereby students are able to revisit their thinking as their learning progresses. Combined with a variety of thinking strategies, learning launches allow students to engage with important issues from the outset learning and to continually reflect on their conclusion. This workshop will provide a variety of practical strategies for making effective use of learning launches and thinking strategies to promote deep learning.