Unfortunately, not much to trim. You may consider using the Arduino Nano RP2040 with either the Raspberry Pi Pico programming software or microPython.
This particular Arduino can be programmed with the Python programming language using either method mentioned above. This language is commonly used for teaching the basics of computer programming. For the 2022-2023 classes, my local community college started using Python for their Introduction to Programming classes. Given how easy it is to learn and how much can be created with it, it makes for an excellent first programming language.
Out of curiosity, what would the students take home?