
The sixth annual Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge is set for April 24 at the Olympic Southside Theater, offering students and professionals a high-energy simulation of Wall Street trading. The day begins with a student competition from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by a corporate competition from 5 to 8 p.m.
Participants will navigate a fast-paced stock market simulation where each minute represents a day of trading. Teams of four start with a virtual $500,000 portfolio and respond to fluctuating stock values influenced by news releases and market “tips.” Onsite traders facilitate instantaneous transactions, with results displayed on projection screens tracking team performance in real-time.
Corporate sponsors fund their own teams of four participants while also supporting approximately 150 high school students who can complete up to five in-school lessons on investment fundamentals before competing in the student JA Stock Market Challenge earlier in the day.
“This allows the students to experience all the rush with no risk,” the organization said in a release. “This thrilling, multi-faceted Junior Achievement program will teach high school students how the stock market works, the necessity of teamwork, and test their financial savviness. Following the event, students will have the opportunity to review their results and analyze the impact of their trades.”
The student competition is free for all participants, open to grades nine to 12, and requires no prior experience. Students can join through schools, clubs, or parent-sponsored teams, with optional preparatory lessons on investment fundamentals provided by Junior Achievement
Corporate teams, which require a $750 registration fee, will compete in the evening session. The fee also sponsors a student team, helping fund Junior Achievement programs that promote financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship for students from kindergarten through 12th grade in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Cedar Valley.
The deadline to register is April 11. Individuals and teams can register online at JAEasternIowa.org or by calling (319) 862-1100. Volunteers are also needed to assist with the event; inquiries can be directed to Emma Disterhoft at [email protected].