Ron Hackett's recent "Nuts & Volts" Picaxe micro. articles have certainly raised the profile of the UK sourced Picaxe microcontroller family !
Local 12yo. kids on a "boring/nothing to do" Easter holiday stimulated me to modify a dirt cheap "Electronic Brain Box" kitset I'd pointed them to at Dick Smith Electronics ( =>
The idea is to build initial confidence with a LEGO style technique that they'll already be pretty familiar with, so they can then move on to the more professional ( & full featured ) Rev. Ed soldered kits etc. Learn to walk before you climb stuff.
This so called "Picaxe Junior" approach only offers 3 I/Os ( 1,2,4 ), which will be plenty for initial teaser work I'd say. Of course even the basic 08 could be used too- a great way to clean them out? Feedback appreciated, especially regarding the likely suitability for pre & early teens in schools with zilch budgets & weak electronics teaching skills. Yes- handy for weary eyed seniors too!
More details =>