Stock Market Challenge is a financial education and work related learning activity which centres on the experience of a live stock market trading floor. The activity is an interesting and enjoyable introduction to investment management and the way financial news is reported in the media.

The activity took place on 15th April at UWIC’s School of Management. 22 teams of pupils were involved (2 year 10 teams from Y Pant). The teams took on the roles of stockbrokers and traded in company stocks and foreign exchange just like professional brokers do on trading floors and in offices across the world.

Through the role-playing within a simulated work-based environment, pupils experienced many aspects of business life during the activity: buying and selling shares and currency; basic accountancy; analysing information from the news and learning how companies communicate via the media.

Success in the game depended on managing investments and money and understanding the effect company decisions and economic fluctuations have on share prices. The ability to analyse information from TV, radio and newspapers was also an important part of the exercise.

As well as the chance to learn about business and finance, the activity provided pupils with the opportunity to develop their financial and enterprise capability.