Defined in Virginia

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 Virginia!

Defined & Virginia

Defined & Virginia Alignment

Alignment with Virginia Standards

Defined’s content aligns with Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) supporting the state’s commitment to rigorous, transferable academic learning. Our resources also support the integration of Virginia's 5 C's, helping students build transferable knowledge and essential future-ready skills through authentic, career-connected applications.

In addition, Defined reinforces statewide initiatives including Virginia's Acadmic and Career Plan (ACP) and Academic and Career Plan Portfolio (ACPP). 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 empower schools to advance the Profile of a Virginia Graduate through high-quality content and assessments aligned to Virginia's priorities.

Career-Connected Learning

Defined’s comprehensive career-connected learning platform supports the implementation of Virginia’s College and Career Readiness (CCR) standards, High-Quality Work-Based Learning (HQWBL) initiative, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) program expectations outlined in the Virginia Perkins V State Plan. Our resources strengthen CTE implementation by connecting academic learning to Virginia’s 17 career clusters and industry-aligned pathways that reflect the state’s workforce demands 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 districts in advancing the Profile of a Virginia Graduate, 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.

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 Virginia 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 Virginia SOLs for Mathematics and Science along with Virgnia's Computer Science Standards of Learning, supporting statewide efforts to expand access to high-quality STEM and computer science education.

Our resources also advance Virginia's STEM Network increasing equity, access, and collaboration in STEM education by providing authentic, applied, and interdisciplinary learning experiences to foster STEM literacy and build the workforce pipeline. Defined sparks student interest in computer science and STEM careers while equipping them with the future-ready skills like computational thinking, problem-solving, and more needed for success in college, career, and life.

Notable Partnerships in Virginia

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 Virginia!

White Paper: Connecting Classrooms to Careers Through PBL

Career-connected deeper learning and project-based learning provide students with opportunities to solve real-world problems and empower them to build the skills they need to succeed in college, career, and life. In this report, three K-12 district leaders, including the Administrative Coordinator for Teaching and Learning in Virginia Beach City Public Schools, explain how they incorporate PBL into their curriculum and how you can make this successful in your school district.

READ THE WHITE PAPER

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

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

Virginia Reps