Hawaii students are hoping the stock market can carry its strong momentum from 2013 into this year.
There are 2,155 students participating so far this spring in the Hawaii Stock Market Simulation program, where they learn how the stock market works and how to make wise and thoughtful personal finance decisions. Registration remains open until Friday for new teachers who still want to sign up.
The 10-week program began Feb. 10, with teams of two to four students from grades 3 through 12 picking investments in their hypothetical $100,000 portfolios. The primary goal of the Hawaii Stock Market Simulation, which ends April 18, is to teach healthy investing practices.
The program is administered by the Hawaii Council on Economic Education in partnership with the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ Office of the Securities Commissioner.
There are 1,166 teams and 42 teachers participating from 31 public, private and charter schools and organizations across the state, including Oahu, Hawaii island, Molokai, Kauai and Maui.
"The Hawaii Stock Market Simulation provides young students the opportunity to learn about personal finance and the stock market in a very fun and engaging way," said Toni Takeno, executive director of HCEE. "They’re utilizing the concepts they learn from their teachers and setting the framework for their own healthy financial futures. It’s a fun program to offer."
The Stock Market Simulation program started in Hawaii in the fall of 2000 with 183 students and has grown steadily.
Students can participate in four categories:
» The aggressive division requires that portfolios contain 80 percent stocks and 20 percent bonds.
» The growth division portfolio must contain 65 percent stocks and 35 percent bonds.
» The income/growth division requires 50 percent stocks and 50 percent bonds.
» The elementary division does not have to contain bonds.
The first-place teams from each division at the end of the 10-week period receive $50 SmartyPig gift cards to open a savings account.
For more information, go to www.smartypig.com.
A complete list of all team rankings can be viewed at hawaiisms.com.
