JA Stock Market Challenge

What is JA Stock Market Challenge?

The JA Stock Market Challenge is a live simulation where students take what they learned in the classroom, through the JA Take Stock in your Future curriculum, and apply it to the real world.

This FREE high energy competition is designed to simulate the excitement of a real life trading floor. Students in grades 9-12, working in teams of 3 or 4, will learn to leverage each other’s strengths, and use critical thinking skills while analyzing news articles and data.

How Does the Event Work?

Each team is issued $500,000 of “mock stock” and must buy and sell shares in fictitious companies throughout a simulated 60-day trading period. Trading is fast and fun, with a new day starting every 60 seconds! The goal is to achieve the greatest rate of return on investment by the end of the simulated trading session. The top teams are awarded prizes.

Important Note: Completion of the FREE Five Session Program: JA Take Stock in Your Future is required to register for this event.

What Do Volunteer 'Floor Trader' Do?

As a volunteer 'floor trader', you'll help guide students through the JA Take Stock in your Future curriculum and apply it to the real world with a team of 3 - 4 students in a live simulation Competition. During the Competition you'll support them as they build their portfolio and spend 60 days in a fictional stock market to see how their investments perform.

What Is the Competition Time Commitment?

Usually 4.5 hours. Teams arrive at the location around 8:30 a.m. and are done around 12:00 p.m.

How to Sign Up as a Volunteer 'Floor Trader' -

Find the JA Stock Market Challenge in your area, (See List below)

✅ Complete the volunteer form below (Event Team Registration Now Open - Complete Form on Specific Event Page)

JA Take Stock in Your Future

For more information about the JA Take Stock in Your Future program, visit the JA Take Stock in Your Future program page.

Related Events

JA Stock Market Challenge: South Central Region

When: Wednesday, 04 Nov 2026

Where: Alliant Energy Center

Time: 9:00 AM CST

The JA Stock Market Challenge provides a unique opportunity for students to bring financial literacy lessons to life through a live, fast-paced stock market simulation. From an educator’s perspective, it reinforces classroom concepts from the JA Take Stock in Your Future curriculum through hands-on learning; for volunteers, it offers a rewarding chance to mentor and encourage students as they make real-time investment decisions and build teamwork and problem-solving skills; and for donors, it represents a meaningful investment in the next generation, helping students gain practical experience, financial confidence, and career-ready skills in an engaging, real-world environment.

JA Stock Market Challenge: Metro Milwaukee

When: Thursday, 12 Nov 2026

Where: Junior Achievement of Wisconsin - Education Learning Center

Time: 9:00 AM CST

JA Stock Market Challenge is a live simulation where students take what they learned in the classroom, through the JA Take Stock in your Future curriculum, and apply it to the real world. JA Areas facilitate fast-paced competitions based on a fictional marketplace.

JA Stock Market Challenge: Northeast Region

When: Thursday, 19 Nov 2026

Where: University of Wisconsin - Green Bay , 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay, WI

Time: 8:30 AM CST

JA Stock Market Challenge is a high-energy learning event designed to simulate a real life trading floor where students take what they learned through the JA Take Stock in your Future curriculum and apply it to the real world. Student teams work together, leverage each other's strengths, and use critical thinking skills while analyzing news articles and data during a high stakes and fierce competition for prizes.