Defined in Tennessee

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 Tennessee!

Tennessee & Defined

Defined & Tennessee Alignment

Alignment with Tennessee Standards

Defined’s content aligns with the Tennessee Academic Standards providing students with rigorous, standards-based learning experiences that build transferable knowledge and essential future-ready skills through authentic, career-connected applications. Click here to explore the Defined Learning course catalog!

In addition, Defined supports Tennessee's High School and Beyond Plan. By connecting classroom learning to real-world career exploration, goal setting, and readiness benchmarks, Defined helps districts ensure students are prepared for success in college, career, and life. Our comprehensive ecosystem of career-connected deeper learning resources empowers schools to advance their Portrait of a Graduate or locally defined graduate profiles through high-quality content and assessments aligned to Tennessee's priorities and tracks student progress through our accountability tracker — the Ready Grade Tracker.

Career-Connected Learning

Defined’s comprehensive career-connected learning platform aligns with Tennessee's High School and Beyond Plan (HSPB). Our resources help districts strengthen the implementation of HSPB by preparing students for CTE pathways early on through broad career exploration and experiences, ensuring all students explore opportunities tied to the state’s workforce and economic priorities.

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 Tennessee's Work-Based Learning (WBL) expectations, allowing students to apply classroom learning to real-world applications and equipping students with the knowledge and transferable skills needed to make informed decisions about their futures—whether entering the workforce, pursuing postsecondary education, or both.

Additionally, Defined Aptitude meets Tennessee's state law mandating that each local education agency must administer a career aptitude assessment to students in grades seven or eight. The Defined Aptitude test helps 8th and 9th-grade students understand their unique talents and make more informed decisions about their academic and future career paths. Upon completion, students have the opportunity to further explore and experience the careers that match their strengths.

Defined Careers Graphic

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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee Academic Standards for Mathematics and Science and K-12 Computer Science Standards along with supporting statewide efforts to expand access to high-quality STEM and computer science education. Our resources spark 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 Tennessee

TSIN & Defined Partnership

The TSIN is providing Defined Careers for all students in grades 6-12. Don't have it in your school yet? Click here to work with your Partnership Manager to take advantage of this partnership!

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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Read the Research

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

Webinar: Igniting Career Curiosity: Engaging Students in Computer Science & STEM

In this webinar, Tennessee administrators and educators discuss the Tennessee STEM & Innovation Network's partnership with Defined and how they're engaging K-12 students in computer science and STEM through career-connected deeper learning.

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White Paper: Engaging Students In Computer Science Through PBL

In this whitepaper, educators, including the Director of Professional Learning and Innovation from the TSIN, share effective ways to drive student engagement in computer science through a career-connected deeper learning approach utilizing student-centered PBL to boost interest and engagement.

READ THE WHITE PAPER

Webinar: Engaging Students in Computer Science Through PBL

In this webinar, educators and administrators, including the Director of the TSIN, discuss how computer science is key to expanding opportunities for all students and how educators can effectively implement these strategies to drive student achievement.

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Webinar: Empowering Students with Equitable Access to Career Experiences

In this complimentary webinar, education thought leaders, including the Director of Career Education from Memphis Shelby County Schools in Tennessee, share insights and resources to help you provide all students with equitable access to career exploration and experiences.

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White Paper: Deeper Learning Through PBL

School and district leaders, featuring the TSIN, discuss how career-connected deeper learning through project-based learning supports the development of the whole student and how to incorporate this type of teaching and learning into all learning environments.

READ THE WHITE PAPER

Virtual Summit: Growing Student Engagement & Accelerating Learning

In this series, hear from leaders in education, including the STEM Director of Memphis Shelby County Schools in Tennessee and the Director of the TSIN, who will help you rethink how to engage students in meaningful learning.

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

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

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