Defined in Indiana

Defined connects classrooms to careers through deeper learning. Our vision is to transform learning environments where every student discovers their potential through authentic learning experiences that bridge education and future success. Explore how the Defined ecosystem aligns with and supports career-connected deeper learning in Indiana!

Indiana & Defined

Defined & Indiana Alignment

Alignment with Indiana Standards

Defined’s content aligns with the Indiana Academic Standards (IAS), including the Indiana Academic Standards for Science (incorporating NGSS), English/Language Arts, and Mathematics, as well as the Indiana Computer Science Standards and employability skills benchmarks. Defined helps bridge classroom content with authentic career applications enabling students to develop and transfer knowledge while building essential future-ready skills.

In addition, Defined supports statewide initiatives such as the Indiana Graduates Prepared to Succeed (GPS), Indiana Graduate Pathways and Diploma Requirements, and the Indiana College and Career Readiness Competencies, helping districts guide students in exploring careers, setting goals, and tracking readiness for college, career, and life. Our comprehensive ecosystem of career-connected deeper learning resources also empowers schools to advance their Portrait of a Graduate or locally defined graduate profiles through high-quality content and assessments aligned to Indiana's priorities.

Career-Connected Learning

Defined’s comprehensive career-connected learning platform aligns with the Indiana College and Career Readiness (CCR) Standards, Indiana's College and Career Readiness Competencies, and supports the goals of Indiana’s Perkins V State Plan. Our resources help districts strengthen the implementation of career and technical education (CTE) by connecting academic learning to Indiana’s 16 career clusters, Next Level Programs of Study, and programs of study, ensuring students explore pathways aligned to state labor market demands.

Through engaging hands-on and minds-on projects across all career clusters and pathways, students build career awareness, reflect on their skills and interests, and gain authentic experiences across industries. Defined also supports districts in meeting the requirements of Indiana’s Graduation Pathways, Diploma Requirements, and advancing Indiana’s Employability Skills Standards, equipping students with the knowledge and experiences needed to make informed decisions about their futures—whether entering the workforce, pursuing postsecondary education, or both.

Defined Careers Elementary School

Computer Science & STEM

From artificial intelligence to renewable energy, today’s challenges demand strong computer science and STEM skills. Defined helps Indiana educators prepare K-12 students for these high-demand fields through career-connected, deeper learning experiences that bridge classroom concepts with real-world applications.

Defined’s engaging projects align with the Indiana Academic Standards for Science (incorporating NGSS) and the Indiana Computer Science Standards, supporting statewide efforts to expand access to high-quality STEM and computer science education. Our resources also advance the goals of Indiana’s STEM Education Strategic Plan and initiatives such as Graduation Pathways and Employability Skills Standards, sparking student interest in computer science and STEM careers while equipping them with the future-ready skills needed for success in college, career, and life.

Notable Partnerships in Indiana

Explore Our Engaging Career-Connected Projects

Defined provides K-12 career-connected learning opportunities for every student. Our extensive course catalog contains standards-aligned academic programming across all grade levels and subject areas. Our projects actively engage students in hands-on experiences that offer a real-world perspective, mirroring the work of industry professionals to expand career exploration for all students. Check out a few Defined Learning and Defined Careers projects below!

Defined Careers Grades K-2

Computer Programmer: App Designer

Students take on the role of an App Designer to create a fun and engaging app for students to use during indoor recess. This app should be educational and something students can play together.

VIEW PROJECT→

Defined Learning Grades 2-3 Math

Backpack Designer

In this task, students will explore how math and engineering play a significant role in product design. They will be measuring to ¼ inch and determining areas to help design and manufacture a backpack for a specific audience.

VIEW PROJECT→

Defined Careers Grades 3-5

Veterinary Assistant

Students step into the role of a Vet Assistant. Vet Assistants work with pets and their owners. They help take care of sick and hurt pets. Part of their job is to teach pet owners how to care for their pets to keep them from getting sick. Students make sure pet owners have the information they need to keep their pets healthy.

VIEW PROJECT→

Defined Learning Grades 3-5 Life Science

Wildlife Biologist: Bats

Students step into the role of a wildlife biologist studying bats. Acting as an expert, students explore the important role bats play in the environment while working to dispel common myths about these fascinating and beneficial creatures. Students will also explain how bats use echolocation to navigate and survive. Their ultimate goal: to get the public excited about welcoming bats into the neighborhood!

VIEW PROJECT→

Defined Careers Grades 6-8

Biomedical Engineers

Students apply knowledge of engineering, biology, chemistry, computer science, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological, agricultural, and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and health management and care delivery systems.

VIEW PROJECT→

Defined Learning Grade 6 Math

Food Truck Entrepreneur

In this task, students will be creating their own food truck. Students make informed decisions about the food they'll be serving, the truck, and their business strategies. Additionally, students will create equations to create a fuel expense chart and determine profit and income for a monthly budget.

VIEW PROJECT→

Defined Careers Grades 9-12

Game Designer

Students step into the role of a Game Designer, designing core features of video games. This role includes specifying innovative game and role-play mechanics, storylines, and character biographies; creating and maintaining design documentation; and guiding and collaborating with production staff to produce games as designed.

VIEW PROJECT→

Defined Learning Grades 9-12 Biology

Forensic Entomologist

Students take on the role of a Forensic Entomologist helping the production staff of a new streaming series create a show focused on forensic science, and specifically how forensic entomology can help to solve crimes.

VIEW PROJECT→

Read the Research

Explore how Defined is connecting classrooms to careers through career-connected deeper learning in Indiana!

Webinar: Driving Student Success with Career-Connected Learning

Educators and thought leaders, including the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent from Fort Wayne Community Schools in Indiana, share how their districts are effectively implementing deeper learning through project-based learning and STEM.

VIEW THE WEBINAR

Webinar: Deeper Learning Through PBL

In this webinar, you'll learn from leaders in education, featuring the Superintendent of Fort Wayne Community Schools in Indiana, who will share their insights on how to best engage students in meaningful deeper learning while boosting student success.

Learn More

Case Study: The Impact of PBL on Academic Performance

Learn about the impact of the Defined Learning project-based learning platform in Fort Wayne Community Schools in Indiana in this study conducted by MIDA Learning Technologies.

READ THE CASE STUDY

White Paper: Professional Learning for PBL

Explore what high-quality professional learning looks like in Fort Wayne Community Schools in Indiana and how schools systems can apply this framework to PBL to ensure success.

READ THE WHITE PAPER

White Paper: Evidence Based Strategies to Boost Student Engagement and Success

In this complimentary white paper, we'll share what the experts are saying about the Understanding by Design and PBL approaches and provide examples from districts, including Fort Wayne Community Schools in Indiana, that have effectively implemented these strategies to boost student success.

READ THE WHITE PAPER

Interested in learning more about how Defined can support Indiana's goals and initiatives?

Ready to see how Defined can transform education in your school or district? Request a demo with Indiana's designated partnerships representative today and witness how our platform bridges classroom learning with future success.

Indiana Reps