ST. GEORGE — Utah students have a chance to see how the investment world actually works through the Utah Treasurer’s Investment Challenge.
The program is a simulation of Wall Street trading that provides a framework for teaching Utah students about the U.S. economy and financial market, according to the Utah Treasurer’s Office.
For 10 weeks, during the fall and spring school semesters, students in grades 4-12 invest a hypothetical $100,000 in common stocks and diversified investment funds on the major exchanges. In a typical classroom setting, students form teams of 3-5 players and work interactively to research security selections.
Throughout the simulation, teams submit their transactions and can monitor their portfolios. At the end of the simulation, three teams in each division are recognized at an awards banquet.
According to the treasurer’s office:
The challenge is designed for classroom use to help students understand the stock market, the costs and benefits involved in economic decision making, the sources and uses of capital, and other related economic concepts in an integrated manner with other curriculum. It is intended to be a catalyst for further study of and interest in free enterprise capitalism.
The program, administered by the Office of State Treasurer and the Utah Financial Empowerment Coalition, is paid for by donations from community partners. There is no cost to teachers or their schools for students to participate.
Participation is limited to Utah teachers and students grades 4-12, homeschool and afterschool program advisors. A teacher must register using the links provided below, create teams, and provide instruction and oversight for students. Students may not register on their own. Teachers must have internet access and an email address.
Teams must make their first transaction by the end of the fifth week, or they will be eliminated from the game for that session.
To encourage diversification, teams are allowed to invest a maximum of 25% in a single company or fund.
A maximum of one team per teacher will be able to place in the game and attend the banquet.
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