When it comes to investing in the financial literacy of youth, Cambrian College is bullish on the future.
Cambrian's Douglas A. Smith Family School of Business is bringing back its High School Stock Market Challenge for a second market cycle of trading, strategy, and friendly competition.
Cambrian's first competition this past spring attracted more than 350 students from across Greater Sudbury. Cambrian is hoping to grow that investment for round two, which runs from November 2 to December 11. High school students from outside the Greater Sudbury area are encouraged to join.
Cambrian professors Craig O'Neill and Kristeen McKee are leading the Cambrian College High School Stock Market Challenge.
"The response to our first competition was tremendous, and what impressed us most was how quickly students became engaged in learning about the markets and making informed financial decisions," says Craig O'Neill, a professor in Cambrian's Douglas A. Smith Family School of Business and an organizer of the High School Stock Market Challenge. "Financial literacy is an essential life skill, and this challenge introduces young people to important concepts like investing, managing risk, and thinking long-term. We want students to discover that understanding money and the markets can be both educational and exciting, regardless of the career path they eventually choose."
Each participant will begin with a virtual $100,000 investment portfolio and compete to generate the best returns by buying and selling stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) listed on Canadian and American exchanges.
The competition uses Personal Finance Lab, an online investment simulation platform that allows students to build and manage portfolios using actual market activity. Participants will also have access to introductory investing lessons and educational resources.
To encourage responsible investment strategies, the competition includes trading rules designed to promote diversification, patience, and risk management rather than speculative trading.
While the money is imaginary, the markets are real, giving students an opportunity to experience the excitement, uncertainty, and decision-making involved in investing.
The winner of the first High School Stock Market Challenge earned a return of 20% on his investment portfolio.
The top three overall finishers will each receive a $500 Cambrian College business scholarship, along with Amazon gift cards valued at $100, $50, and $25 respectively. Weekly prizes will also recognize student performance throughout the competition.
The challenge is open to high school students across northeastern Ontario currently enrolled in a business course.
Teachers interested in registering their classes can contact Craig O'Neill at craig.oneill@cambriancollege.ca with the number of students they wish to enter. No student names or personal information are required for registration.
Registration is free, and teachers are encouraged to register early to secure their students' participation.
For more information about the programs offered through the Douglas A. Smith Family School of Business, visit https://cambriancollege.ca/business.
For more information
1400 Barrydowne Road
Sudbury Ontario
Canada P3A 3V8
www.cambriancollege.ca/
