UNIVERSITY PARK — The Stock Market Game is a national competition which teaches high school students the basics of the stock market. It is an interactive simulation where critical thinking, decision making, cooperation, research, investing and communication are required in order to succeed. Students start with $100,000 in hypothetical money and “invest” it in stocks, bonds and mutual funds. The team with the most money in their portfolio at the end of the 10-week game wins the competition. They may work in teams or individually and they invest in real-time investments.
In a May 11 ceremony in the trading room of the Smeal Business School building on the Penn State campus, the top three teams of students from Centre County schools were awarded prizes for their success in the late spring edition of the Stock Market Game. Teams from Bald Eagle, Grace Prep, Penns Valley, State College (two teams) and St. Joseph’s Academy competed. A a team from State College, led by teacher Ryan Long, took first place with a portfolio of $110,902. The Penns Valley team, working with teacher Eric Weaver, took a close second place with earnings of $110,392, and the Grace Prep team, led by Jane Auhl, garnered third place with a $107,850 portfolio.
Penn State business teacher Dr. Randall Woolridge introduced the students to the trading room, and described the Nittany Lion Fund, which allows Penn State students to make actual investments as part of their business education. He noted that the investor-owned, student-managed fund, which began with $2.25 million from PSU alumni in 2003, has grown to $7 million. He stressed that this is real investment. “Our theme is ‘It’s not a game when you do this,’” he said. “It’s really activity-based learning at its best. Here you’re applying what you learn.” He said that many PSU business students receive Wall Street summer internships, and have job offers at the beginning of their senior year.
Awards of gift cards and certificates were announced by Carolyn Shirk, vice president of Economics Pennsylvania, a nonprofit organization which works to help young people develop sensible economic ways of thinking along with vital financial decision making skills. Economics Pennsylvania, along with Fulton Bank, ProAct Ltd., Lion Country Kia and the Centre County Gazette sponsor the Centre County Stock Market Game. Award presenters were Jean Galiano, senior vice president of Fulton Bank, and John Runkle, manager of Lion Country Kia.
For more information on Economics Pennsylvania’s business programs, call Carolyn Shirk at (570) 975-5149.
