Two teams of students in Mars Area Centennial School’s Stock Market Club placed in the Elementary School Division of the 2017 SIFMA Foundation Erie/Western Pennsylvania Stock Market Game Fall Session.

The team of fifth-graders Miles Frazier, Carson Mahan and Connor McKotch took first place. With an initial investment of $100,000, the team earned a $5,750.48 in net equity gain, a 5.75 percent return.

The team of fifth-graders Ryan Babeo, Kendall Bruns and Maxwell Zagorski received second place. With an initial investment of $100,000, the team earned a $5,011.72 in net equity gain, a 5.01 percent return.

Mars Area Centennial School debuted its Stock Market Club earlier this school year, offering participants an introduction to the fundamentals of investing. Members met before school every Tuesday to participate in The Stock Market Game, an online simulation of the global capital markets that engages students in the world of economics, investing and personal finance.

As part of the game, students are asked to invest a virtual $100,000 in stocks, bonds and mutual funds; then, to monitor and adjust their investment portfolios, as needed, said Brittnee Madigan, fifth grade teacher and club sponsor. The goal of the program was to prepare the students for financially independent futures through real-world practice.

In addition to participating in The Stock Market Game, club members discuss various topics related to investing and the stock market. Topics include shares; stock-holders; ticker symbols; diversifying; private and public companies; and more. 

For more information, visit www.smgww.org.