The BBC has started rolling out the BBC micro:bit, its programmable computer for kids. Reminiscent of the Raspberry Pi, the tiny computer will be given to every Year 7 student and above in the UK, affording them the opportunity to learn coding basics, some before they even hit their teens. the device essentially looks like a computer chip, and needs to be attached to things like a monitor and keyboard in order to work, like a really tiny desktop computer.

“You can use your BBC micro:bit for all sorts of cool creations, from robots to musical instruments – the possibilities are endless,” reads the About page for the device on the BBC’s website. “This little device has an awful lot of features, like 25 red LED lights that can flash messages. There are two programmable buttons that can be used to control games or pause and skip songs on a playlist. Your BBC micro:bit can detect motion and tell you which direction you’re heading in, and it can use a low energy Bluetooth connection to interact with other devices and the Internet – clever!”

The micro: bit isn’t the first time the BBC has passed out computers to schools. BBC Micro computers were used in UK schools in the 80s. Today’s model is 70 times smaller and 18 times faster than the original.

The new micro:bit was originally slated to be rolled out to students in October, just as their school year was beginning. Unfortunately, power supply issues and “fine tuning” delayed the device until now. Important to note: the computers are being given to the students themselves, not the schools. That means that while the school year might be coming to a close, kids can use the device over their school break as well.

Want to give it a try for yourself? While we likely won’t see the actual computers in states, BBC has a page on its website where anyone can write code and see how it would play back using an online simulator.