The economy may be muddling along, but stocks have been rebounding this year, and 1,805 students participating this fall in the Hawaii Stock Market Simulation program are hoping to share in the success.
The 10-week program began Monday, 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 Nov. 30, is to teach healthy investing practices.
The program is administered by the Hawaii Council on Economic Education.
There are 745 teams and 34 teachers participating from 26 schools and organizations across the state, including Oahu, Hawaii island, Maui and Molokai.Registration remains open for new teachers who still want to sign up.
"The Hawaii SMS is one of our longest-running and most popular programs," said Toni Takeno, executive director of the Hawaii Council on Economic Education. "It allows a wide range of students the opportunity to learn about saving and investing in a safe and fun environment. We’re excited to have so many students participating in the program this fall."
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- and second-place teams at the end of the 10-week period receive $50 and $25 Smarty Pig Gift Cards, respectively, 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.
