The JA Stock Market Challenge presented by Citizens is back and has expanded to two simulation days!
This exciting, hands-on event offers students in grades 9-12 a safe and engaging environment to learn and practice valuable lessons about economic decision-making, long-term investing, and market forces.
Student teams of 3-4 players compete for real cash prizes and must make quick decisions about fictional stocks, current events, and trends in the market.
The team with the highest ROI between both simulation days wins the champion title and has the opportunity to represent western PA in the National JA Stock Market Challenge in 2026 (For eligibility requirements, please see our FAQ below).
Transportation assistance is available. Click here to request funding.
Day 1 Date and Time:
Day 2 Date and Time:
No investing experience? No problem. Students can prepare with JA Take Stock in Your Future, an optional, classroom-based curriculum, then apply what they’ve learned in the fast-paced stock market simulation. The program includes five 45- minute sessions, with additional extended learning activities and optional digital assets offered throughout.
Presenting Partner
Frequently Asked Questions
High school students compete against each other in teams in a fast-paced, exciting, simulated stock market environment. Student teams are given imitation currency used to make stock selections from fictitious companies before the challenge begins.
The secret to success during the challenge lies in students’ ability to collaborate with their team in making decisions based on current events and market trends to demonstrate their mastery of stocks, the market, and economic decision making.
At the end of the challenge, the team with the stock portfolio with the highest net worth wins!
The JA Stock Market Challenge presented by Citizens is open to high school students across western PA and northern WV. Registrations can be through schools, community groups, or individual team registrations of 3-4 people!
To see if your school falls in one of the counties JA of Western PA covers, please click here.
Yes. JA Learning Experiences, including JA Stock Market Challenge presented by Citizens and JA Take Stock in Your Future, are designed to support classroom learning and meet academic benchmarks. Each program is correlated to state standards, helping educators connect lessons directly to their curriculum needs.
To view PA standards, click here.
To view WV standards, click here.
No experience is needed. The JA Stock Market Challenge presented by Citizens offers students a safe and engaging environment to learn and practice valuable lessons about economic decision-making, long-term investing, and market forces.
Educators can build their students’ knowledge and confidence before the event through the JA Take Stock in Your Future curriculum, which introduces teens and young adults to the stock market through five sessions.
No, there is no cost to participate in the JA Stock Market Challenge presented by Citizens in-person event or the JA Take Stock in Your Future curriculum.
If preferred, Educators may register for JA Take Stock in Your Future without participating in the JA Stock Market Challenge in-person event.
If transportation is a barrier for participation, we encourage you to complete this form to request a bus grant for your school.
Student teams compete for:
To be considered eligible to compete in the JA National Stock Market Challenge in 2026, eligible student teams must have:
During the event, volunteers will be trained and assume the roles of one of the following:
All volunteers will receive a comprehensive event timeline outlining the day’s expectations, but should allot at least 2.5 hours for the event.
Volunteers are required to attend a mandatory volunteer training at 9:00 AM, with a light breakfast and coffee available. Training will promptly begin at 9:15 AM, followed by the simulation start at 10:00 AM. Volunteers are expected to remain on-site until the simulation concludes at approximately 11:30 AM, though they are welcome to stay for the event’s conclusion and the announcement of the winners.
Yes! JA also needs energetic volunteers to help students prepare for the challenge through facilitating the JA Take Stock in Your Future curriculum in the classroom. If interested in volunteering, please contact Doug Knepper at dknepper@jawesternpa.org for more information.
For partnership information, please email Kelsie Hutsko at khutsko@jawesternpa.org.
While working at #1 Cochran, the team will be running the car dealership. Employees will work together to find car deals, schedule service repairs, and sell an item during the shopping period.
