The Stock Market Game (SMG) has been offered in Nebraska schools for the last 20 years as an opportunity for students in the area of economics and personal finance. Over 2,500 students, representing approximately 600 teams, participate in the statewide program every year along with 60-70 teachers. It is the only one of its kind offered in Nebraska and is affiliated nationally with the Securities Industries Association.

The Nebraska Stock Market Game is a ten-week, online investment simulation recommended for students in grades 4-12. Teams of 4 or 5 students invest a hypothetical $100,000 in the purchasing of stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange, American Exchange and the NASDAQ. An annual awards luncheon is held In April to recognize the winning teams in each division (elementary, middle and secondary) along with t-shirt and essay contest winners. Prizes include team trophies, cash and certificates.

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What Teachers Have Said about the Nebraska Stock Market Game:
"This unit is a highlight for those taking these courses. Many have came back and asked the next year if they can participate even though they are not enrolled in the appropriate class."
Shawna Koger
Arlington Public Schools
8th grade Exploratory Business

"This program helps me bring economic education alive. Economics is a major part of our Social Studies Standards in Nebraska and my classes are basically the only place where economics education is addressed at our school.

I feel that it has great benefit to the student's' educational experience."
Virginia Whidden
St. Edward Public School
Family & Consumer Science

"Over the years, I have had students lose a fortune in the stock market and gain a fortune. I think it is good for them to see both sides. The stock market game provides a way for students to participate in the market without risking their own money. The hands-on learning of the competition is simply lifelong invaluable experience. Schools should not only prepare students for future jobs, but they should also teach students how to invest their money.

The stock market game shows students one way they can make money with money."
Lynn Channer
Arthur County High School

"We have a Stock Market Club for middle school students that meet after school on their own time. We visit stockbrokers each year at their place of business which allows students to practice etiquette in the business world. This year, our financial advisor was so excited with what the students were learning through the Stock Market Game that he asked if he could visit with us at one of our weekly meetings."
Karen Hastings
Grand Island Public Schools

"At the middle school level, knowledge of the stock market is very lean, and there are probably not any other classes where the student would learn about it. The chance to do a "hands on" activity, with no repercussions, is priceless."
Jean Pepin
Lux Middle School (Lincoln)

"One of the things I require all my students to do is write a SMG essay. Now we are applying writing skills as well as research and especially current events. The concept of economics rarely gets taught in schools unless a high school elective and yet it is fundamental to our life. It has such a dry, non-interesting aura about it that turns people off I, personally, have been involved with SMG for over 8 years, and I have never found a student who has not enjoyed it. Most of them ask if they will be able to do it the next year. How many class activities that actually involve charts, numbers, research, and essays can boast that type of response?"
Kathie Putensen
Maxey Elementary School (Lincoln)

What Students Have Said about the Nebraska Stock Market Game:
"We will have had experience in the Stock Market so that once we are able to save money that is substantial enough to invest, I will be much more educated than if I had not participated. Plus, since I have learned about the Stock Market, I will become an investor even sooner. It was not only a great learning experience but also very fun. I will cherish the memories made for a lifetime."
Alyson Hartwig (Grand Island)

"The benefits of playing the game are that you learn how to read the stocks and the stock pages in the newspaper. The long-term benefits of learning about the Stock Market are that you can buy stocks when you are older and maybe even find a career involving the Stock Market. The Stock Market Game also reinforces math skills, like how to read graphs and figure the money you could make."
Hilary Swan (Grand Island)

"It was a way of experiencing loss, without having to experience any pain. With so many teams competing, the chances of being the #l team were remote, so we could experiment and have fun with the investing, instead of being upset about placing 29th or 4lst."

"[I] like learning to use a graphing calculator, someone can show you a few basics, but you have to play around and experiment, and try different combinations to actually get an understanding of how it works. The SMG allowed us that opportunity."

One student was elated that it gave her "a nice break from just plain math from the textbook".

An 8th grade girl felt that she learned patience; she learned not to panic when a stock fell one day or one week; checking charts helped to show that ups and downs are just a part of most of the stocks.

A 6th grade boy wrote, "I give it (SMG) an A+!"
Responses in Jean Pepin's Class
Lux Middle School (Lincoln)

"I like this game because I have fun and learn from it at the same time.", I play this game "because it is fun and exciting", "I enjoy playing it and look forward to it every year"
Maxey Elementary School (Lincoln)
Kathie Putensen's Class