ERASMUS+ TRAINING: ENGAGING CLASSROOMS WITH GAME-BASED LEARNING AND STEAM

Edutainment aims to make learning fun and engaging for students. Gamification and game-based learning (GBL) are both used in the classroom to support this goal and to foster the development of transversal skills. In addition, these approaches can be powerful tools to create personalized learning pathways and inclusive learning environments for all students.

In this Erasmus+ training course, game-based activities, STEAM-inspired projects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) and hands-on experimentation will be shared and practiced with participants. Starting from specific class profiles, participants will learn to identify and design the most effective strategies to respond to students’ diverse needs, increase motivation, and support meaningful, active and collaborative learning.

Particular attention will be given to designing playful STEAM activities – such as challenges, missions, role-play and digital or unplugged educational games – that integrate multiple disciplines and encourage creativity, problem solving and critical thinking. Participants will explore how to use these methodologies both for teaching and for formative assessment, providing immediate feedback and supporting differentiated and student-centered instruction.

The themes of GBL, gamification and STEAM will be explored as tools to personalise educational activities across multiple disciplines and skills. Through different case studies presented day by day, the course will foster discussion while taking into account the participants’ experiences and perspectives. Exchanging with teachers from across Europe will enrich the experience, making participants active contributors in adapting examples and formats to diverse school contexts. 

Contents and training are designed by G-Lab S.r.l. Impresa Sociale, a recognized institution for teachers’ training by the Italian Ministry of Education, holding accreditation by the Emilia Romagna Region for lifelong learning and ISO 9001 Quality Certification. The program is enriched by the guidance and direct experience of teachers from Scuola delle Idee Marino Golinelli, the first STEAM school in Italy that G-Lab owns and manages. The program is tailored to be fully funded by Erasmus+ KA1 funding and ensures the best quality within Erasmus quality standards.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the principles of edutainment, gamification, and game-based learning;
• Design game-based learning activities to integrate into their lessons;
• Use gamification and game-based approaches to support personalized learning pathways;
• Understand the value of game based dynamics into STEAM teaching and learning;
• Analyse specific class profiles and select suitable game-based strategies;
• Promote active and meaningful learning by implementing hands-on, playful, and experiential activities (learning by doing);
• Integrate complex curricular content into game-based scenarios to foster critical thinking, discussion, and deeper understanding;

COURSE DETAILS

When: 27-31 July 2026
Where: Bologna, Opificio Golinelli
Cost: 550€/participant (includes course materials, certificate of attendance, coffee breaks, lunches from Monday to Friday and a light aperitif on Tuesday).
Participants with a Erasmus+ KA1 grant, will receive support in the validation of the Europass Mobility Document and a certificate in line with Erasmus+ Quality Standards
Target group: lower, upper-secondary school and VET teachers
Language: English
Participants: Minimum 8 – Maximum 28
 

PRE ENROLLMENT FORM (UNTIL JULY 6TH)
 

PROGRAMME

Day 1 - INTRODUCTION TO GAMES AND STEAM APPROACH
From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

• Registration and welcome session
• Guided tour of Fondazione Golinelli labs and educational spaces
• LEGO® Serious Play® Workshop: structured discussion on the meaning and practices of games and STEAM in education
• Retrospective of the day
• Lunch 
   

Day 2 -  GAMES AS A TEACHING METHOD
From 9 a.m to 1 p.m 

• Visit to Scuola delle Idee Marino Golinelli 
• Reflection and application: Difference between Gamification and Game-based learning
• Reflection and application: Game-based learning between analogic and digital
• Reflection and application: Personalisation paths in GBL
• Lunch  

From 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• Interactive STEAM city game to discover Bologna’s cultural traits 
• Aperitif

Day 3 - PLAYING WITH BIODIVERSITY
From 9 a.m to 1 p.m 

• Introduction to the classroom scenario of the day: a treasure hunt of biodiversity 
• Hands-on STEAM activity: teachers in the role of students
• Discussion Workshop: personalisation on a case-study class
• Retrospective of the day
• Lunch

Day 4 - PLAYING AND LEARNING BETWEEN DIGITAL AND ANALOG TOOLS
From 9 a.m to 2 p.m 

• Introduction to the classroom scenario of the day: using digital game-based tools
• Hands-on STEAM activity: teachers in the role of students
• Discussion Workshop: personalisation on a case-study class
• Retrospective of the day
• Lunch

Day 5 - DESIGNING INTERACTIVE GAME-BASED LEARNING ACTIVITIES
From 9 a.m to 2 p.m 

• Hands-on experimentation: virtual and augmented reality in education, G-Lab AR and VR Division
• Design Workshop: refining ideas for creating classroom activities
• Final evaluation and certification
• Lunch
   

2026 ERASMUS + TRAINING COURSES 

In 2026, G-Lab S.r.l. Erasmus+ training course offer include the following programs for teachers and education staff:

• TEACHING WITH A STEAM APPROACH - BRIDGING SCIENCE, ART AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM
  International Spring School planned for 4-8 May 2026. More details and pre-registration here

• ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN EDUCATION
  International Winter School planned for 9-13 NOvember 2026. More details and pre-registration here

   

ABOUT G-LAB AND FONDAZIONE GOLINELLI

Fondazione Golinelli is a unique Italian example of a private and operative foundation, inspired by the model of the American philanthropic foundations. One of its strategic goals is to provide youngsters (especially school students) with guidelines and tools that enable them to grow responsibly, civically and socially, fostering the creation of ethical behavior for a more cohesive society. Fondazione Golinelli is organized in 4 different Areas: Art and Science, School, Enterprise, Research and higher education. With a focus on STEAM education, innovative methodology and entrepreneurial culture, the School Area provides scientific and technological activities at the national level. Among these, labs and workshops to students of all ages (from preschool to university ones), training experiences for teachers and school managers and learning activities for professionals and adults.

The main training, educational and cultural activities of Fondazione Golinelli are hosted at Opificio Golinelli (Bologna, Italy). Due to the numeric dimensions (14.000SQM) and its cultural model, Opificio Golinelli is considered one of the largest experimental laboratories for teaching science and technology as well as a center of national and international importance.

Fondazione Golinelli operates though G-Lal S.r.l. Impresa Sociale, a social enterprise created in 2018 with the aim of enhancing and disseminating the expertise, that Fondazione Golinelli has developed during many years, especially targeting the School and Education sector. Both Fondazione Golinelli and G-Lab are recognized institution for teachers’ training by the Italian Ministry of Education and G-Lab holds accreditation by the Emilia Romagna Region for lifelong learning.

Fondazione Golinelli has been developing applied research on relevant issues like STEAM approach to teaching and learning, digital tools and environments and active learning, on Artificial Intelligence and teaching practices. Since 2018 G-Lab includes an AR and VR Division, which is also in charge of the creation of Golinelli LiVE Live Virtual Experience, a virtual reality simulator for the creation of science laboratory experiences. Since 2022 G-Lab owns and manages a private school, recognized and accredited by the Italian Ministry of Education “Scuola delle Idee Marino Golinelli”, the first STEAM-oriented lower secondary school in Italy.