A teams of fifth-graders in Mars Area Centennial School’s Stock Market Club took second place in the 2018 SIFMA Foundation Erie/Western Pennsylvania Stock Market Game Spring Session, held Feb. 5-April 13.

Team members are Morgan Harsch and Linnea McKinney. With an initial investment of $100,000, the team earned a negative $191.40 in net equity gain, a negative 0.19 percent return.

“Due to the volatility of the market since February, the students have learned the risk and uncertainty of the stick market,” says Brittnee Madigan, club advisor. The school’s Stock Market Club introduces members to the fundamentals of investing to prepare the students for financially independent futures through real-world practice.

Members meet 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; and, then to monitor and adjust their investment portfolios.

In addition, club members discuss various topics related to investing and the stock market. Topics include shares; stockholders; ticker symbols; diversifying; private and public companies; and more. 

For more information, visit www.smgww.org.