Games & challenges
Ready-to-run StockSt activities that reward reasoning and risk management — not only final portfolio value.
StockSt uses fictional currency and simulated shares for education only. This is not investment advice.
Elementary · Grades 3–5
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Individual or pairs · 20–30 minutesOpenRecognize categories, ownership, and price movement.
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Whole class · 20 minutesOpenPractice tradeoffs between spending now and saving or investing later.
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Whole class · 15–20 minutesOpenConnect events to price changes.
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Teams of 2–4 · 30–40 minutesOpenIntroduce diversification.
Middle school · Grades 6–8
High school · Grades 9–12
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Teams of 4–6 · 2–4 class periodsOpenPractice portfolio construction, research, debate, and governance.
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Two teams plus judges · 45–60 minutesOpenEvaluate both sides of an investment decision.
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Individual or teams · 45–60 minutesOpenQuantify downside risk and revise allocations.
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Individual or teams · 30–45 minutesOpenTest independent thinking and valuation discipline.
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Teams of 3–5 · 60–90 minutesOpenCommunicate an investment strategy and respond to scrutiny.
Whole-class formats
Universal scoring model
Use a balanced score so lucky concentrated bets do not automatically win.
| Component | Suggested weight |
|---|---|
| Investment reasoning and research | 30% |
| Risk management and diversification | 25% |
| Journaling and reflection | 20% |
| Collaboration and communication | 15% |
| Portfolio performance | 10% |
For any StockSt challenge, use a balanced score rather than final portfolio value alone. A student who earns a high simulated return through one lucky, concentrated bet should not automatically outscore a student who researches carefully, diversifies, manages risk, and explains decisions clearly.
Classroom rules
- All shares and currency are fictional; StockSt is an educational simulation, not investment advice.
- Students use assigned pseudonyms, not personal identifying information.
- Set a maximum number of trades per round to discourage impulsive churn.
- Require a written reason for every buy or sell.
- Set position limits, such as “no share may exceed 25% of a portfolio.”
- Do not rank students publicly by account balance; celebrate categories such as best research, best risk control, or best comeback.
- End every challenge with a reflection: “What would you do differently, and why?”