STATE STOCK MARKET GAME WINNERS ANNOUNCED 1/6/2009
Bismarck, ND – Students from Surrey High School, Simle Middle School of Bismarck, and St. John Elementary of Wahpeton, have taken first place honors in North Dakota for the Fall 2008 Stock Market Game (SMG). The teams receiving second place honors go to Surrey High School and Cathedral of the Holy Spirit of Bismarck. There were 931 teams and 2,132 students participating in all grade levels of the competition. Winning teams in this competition increased their portfolio by as much as $61,000, which is the goal of the competition.
SMG is a free resource to North Dakota schools, coordinated and sponsored by the North Dakota Securities Department’s Investor Education program.
The Stock Market Game (SMG) is a ten or fifteen-week simulation of Wall Street trading that provides a framework for teaching students in grades 4-12 about the American economic system. “Offered in the fall and spring semesters, SMG is available on the Internet and is designed for classroom use as a tool to increase understanding of the stock market, the costs and benefits involved in economic decision-making, the sources and use of capital and other related economic concepts,” said Diane Kambeitz, Coordinator of the North Dakota game from the North Dakota Securities Department.
The individual member of the winning team in the Elementary division was Ryan Matejcek of St. John Elementary School, Wahpeton. His teacher-advisor is Jennifer Conzemius. Winning the Middle School division competition was Kyle Palmer of Simle Middle School in Bismarck. His teacher-advisor is Lynn Gress. And, winning the High School division competition from Surrey High School was Kody Kraft. His teacher-advisor is Gary Walhaug.
SMG is an interdisciplinary teaching tool that allows teachers to create and direct learning in the classroom in a variety of disciplines. During the ten or fifteen-week session, student teams invest a hypothetical $100,000 in common stocks on the New York and American Stock Exchanges and the NASDAQ Stock Market. Teams enter their transactions and monitor daily their portfolios including trades, current holdings, brokerage fees, margin interest and team rankings. At the end of the simulation, the winning teams in the elementary, middle school and high school competitions achieving the largest investment gains are recognized. The Stock Market Game was created and is made available by the Foundation for Investor Education, an affiliate of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association and is offered in all 50 states, as well as other countries. It is coordinated and made available at no cost to all North Dakota teachers and students in grades 4-12.
“SMG is an opportunity for students to not only learn about the market and how it affects our economy, but also to think about preparing for their financial futures,” stated Kambeitz.
For more information on The Stock Market Game, contact the North Dakota Securities Department at 1-800-297-5124 (local 328-2910) or visit the SMG website at www.stockmarketgame.org.
Additional Information
The North Dakota Securities Department regulates the offer and sale of securities and franchises in the State of North Dakota, and protects the investing public by enforcing compliance with our state’s laws. The Department promotes public awareness of securities laws to prevent violations and to prevent investment fraud. The Department provides investor education programs for all ages to improve the level of financial literacy in our state.
Contact information:
North Dakota Securities Department
State Capitol, 5th Floor
600 East Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58505-0510