Students can explore these two investment game simulations and learn about the purpose of investing, the reasons for diversification of investments and explain the concept of risk tolerance including risk versus reward. Students may also be able to compare the advantages, disadvantages and ethical implications of various types of investments (stocks in this scenario). The STAX game is an interactive game, that allows students to diversify and try to beat the markets over 20 years. The Market Watch game is a simulation that used live prices and trading until the markets close (using fake money).  https://www.marketwatch.com/games/fin-lit-sk-2425/portfolio?pub=x05tAm55u24F  Password: investnow!

This humorous vignette reminds us of the need to carefully consider who we trust to give us valid guidance in investing our money. Most of us either don’t have the expertise or the time to manage our investments. As a result, as we begin to build an investment portfolio, we look for help. Some rely solely on family members or friends to guide them while others look for professional help. Regardless of the course you take, it is crucial to understand the background and experience of those offering the guidance and advice. It is important that we give our trust to those who deserve it and not simply rely on friendship or whim. After all, you have worked hard for that money and you want to make sure that it is well managed.

Underlying the humour of this vignette is a serious message about investing. We all would like to be able to put our money to work for us by investing it, but often we are so eager to get a good return on our investment that we overreach and take a chance on an apparent opportunity that offers a greater than normal return. This is a risky venture to say the least. It’s important to take a moment to reflect before acting. As the old adage says, “Act in haste, repent at leisure.” There are a number of things that should be considered when investing money in order to protect ourselves from scams.

This activity is a stock investment simulation. It is a fun way for the students to see how everyday activities, news and happenings around the country can impact stock prices. This will have the students make decisions if they want to keep, sell or buy stock based on what is happening around the company. The real-life implications are significant, because investors in real life have to make these types of decisions and often react with emotion instead of fact and long-term perspectives on the stock. In this project, students use $1800 to invest in a fictitious company Ravioli Den. The teacher will then progress through a series of slides, describing current events impacting the value of investment. At each interval, the student will have the option to buy or sell shares, and then students will complete this worksheet regarding their decisions and the value of their investment. Teachers, you must access the answer key for materials you need to facilitate this activity.