G-LAB SRL IMPRESA SOCIALE (G-Lab) is the operational arm of Fondazione Golinelli (FG). Established in 2018 as a social enterprise, its mission is to leverage and scale the expertise developed by the Foundation over decades, with a strategic focus on the School and Education sectors. The Foundation is a private, operative institution whose strategic goal is to provide young people with the tools to grow responsibly and socially, fostering ethical behavior for a more cohesive society. It is based at Opificio Golinelli in Bologna, a 14,000-square-meter hub that stands as one of Europe’s largest experimental facilities for science and hands-on teaching. The Foundation is organized into four main pillars: Art and Science, School, Enterprise, and Research and Higher Education.
G-Lab supports the School and Research areas by managing the practical execution and innovation of FG’s mission. Its work is centered on four pillars:
STEAM approach & Active Methodologies: Utilizing challenge-based and project-based learning, design thinking, and peer-to-peer approaches to foster entrepreneurship and inquiry-based skills.
Digital Transformation: Integrating AI, VR/AR, robotics, and computational thinking to enhance digital literacy.
Experimental Science: Promoting "situated" scientific literacy through hands-on laboratory activities that mirror real-world research environments.
Interdisciplinary Integration: Exploring the intersection of art, science, and technology to develop visual and digital literacy.
G-Lab holds a Memorandum of Understanding with the Italian Ministry of Education and holds accreditation by the Emilia Romagna Region for lifelong learning. It provides activities nationwide for students and teachers (from preschool to university, including VET), school managers, and professionals, customized pathways for school networks, excellence programs such as Masterclasses, and international European projects. Also on behalf of Fondazione Golinelli it relies on a network of over 150 national and international partners and on active collaboration with an Italian community of practice for "STEAM teachers," representing over 60 secondary schools.
Some G-Lab Strategic Project are:
Scuola delle Idee Marino Golinelli: Since 2022, G-Lab has managed this STEAM-oriented, Ministry-accredited lower secondary school, currently comprising three classes and a dedicated staff of 13 educators.
Golinelli LiVE (Live Virtual Experience): A proprietary VR platform offering immersive modules in life sciences and advanced microscopy, bridging the gap between physical experimentation and digital simulation.
