The BBC is giving away pocket-sized computers to a million UK students

The BBC has just announced in a wordy post on its website that it will give away a programmable microcomputer called the BBC Micro Bit to one million students across the UK to get them interested in coding.

30 years after the launch of the Micro the BBC has launched the micro:bit. (Photo: BBC)

The BBC has just announced in a wordy post on its website that it will give away a programmable microcomputer called the BBC Micro Bit to one million students across the UK to get them interested in coding.

The device is similar to the popular Raspberry Pi microcomputer in that it can be connected to bigger devices to quickly and efficiently build gadgets DIY-style.

The pocket-sized device features two buttons, a built-in motion sensor, an array of programmable LED lights, input-output rings, bluetooth, and USB connectivity.

What can it do? Here's what the BBC suggests:

- The Micro Bit's built-in magnetometer sensor could be used to help create a metal detector.

- Its accelerometer to make a hi-tech spirit level.

- Its Bluetooth chip to control a DVD player.

- Its two buttons to create a video games controller.

BBC Learning head Sinea Rocks said that the project was about "young people learning the express themselves digitally."

Once it gives out the device to UK's schoolchildren, the BBC plans to make the Micro Bit available for purchase at an as-yet undisclosed price and make its specifications open source.