(NAPS)—Students across the country can invest a hypothetical $100,000 and gain an understanding of the economy and the government that many consider beyond price. It’s part of a 14-week challenge that organizes teams of middle and high school students by congressional district and state and teaches the importance of saving and investing, while promoting a better understanding of the government. Teams invest the money in listed stocks, bonds and mutual funds and work together to maximize the return of their portfolios. A "; f =OE A r cE ar eee 2 a a ] a ye) ) Students can play an investment gameto learn about money and the government—and win trip to Washington, D.C. In 2016, 4,317 teams competed from all 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. The competition uses the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) Foundation’s curriculum-based Stock Market Game to help students develop a better understanding of the global economy, become college and career ready, and improve their knowledge of math, economics and business. “This program provides critical educational experiences to young people, enabling students to gain insights that lead to their success,” explained Melanie Mortimer, president of the SIFMA Foundation. This year’s Top 10 Schools and their representatives are: 1. Montgomery High, Pa., Rep. Tom Marino 2. Fairview High School, Colo., Rep. Jared Polis 3. The Hotchkiss School, Conn., Sen. Richard Blumenthal 4. Reeths-Puffer High School, Mich., Rep. Bill Huizenga 5. Mat-Su Career & Tech Ed High School, AK, Sen. Lisa Murkowski 6. Albany High School, Calif., Rep. Barbara Lee 7. Lynn English High, Mass., Sen. Elizabeth Warren 8. Carmel High School, Ind., Rep. Susan Brooks 9. York Community High School, IIL, Sen. Mark Kirk 10. Parkview High School, Ga., Sen. David Perdue. The students and their teachers get a trip to Washington, D.C. for the awards ceremony but the benefits go beyond that. The pro- gram can raise student scores on mathematics, economies and financial knowledgetests. For Learn More further facts, visit www.sifma.org/che and www.stock marketgame.org.
