Stock investment game teaches critical thinking

About 800 Northeast Ohio high school students are trying to get rich virtually.

They are investing a hypothetical $100,000 in a 10-week program offered by the University of Cincinnati's Economic Center for Education & Research and sponsored by The Plain Dealer.

Student teams invest in stocks, bonds or mutual funds on Nasdaq, the New York Stock Exchange and the American Stock Exchange. The contest uses an Internet-based simulation of the stock market, while teachers have access to online lesson plan activities. Student portfolios rise and fall, along with the real market.

"The Stock Market Game teaches kids about investing. But it also teaches them about critical thinking and cooperative learning," said, Kimberly Moon, who coordinates the game for the center.

Students can win prizes and earn certificates.

The Plain Dealer will publish the top teams every week. The full list will appear on cleveland.com.

Collinwood High School juniors and seniors will start trading today, joining 10 other Northeast Ohio schools.

Business technology teacher Marcella Hall said she's getting students to research products and services connected to their lives at home.

"Most of the kids are excited. They want to buy stock and make money. And some are afraid of competing," said Hall, who is working with 15 teams of juniors and seniors.

"Kids enjoy learning about finance once they can connect it to everyday living. Stocks allow you to teach so many things. You can pull out history, math, products, services and marketing."