Financial literacy classes are increasingly popular in high schools, focusing on effective money management for both consumers and entrepreneurs. However, many of these courses overlook practical opportunities for students to make money.
Addressing this gap is the newly-founded Future Investors of America club, led by four ambitious students: Hossam Elkhatib, Ammar Bazaraa, Qasim Hussain and Vrayas Pila. The club currently comprises 20 members. They envision a space where students of all ages can learn the fundamentals of trading and entrepreneurship, providing a hands-on approach to financial education.
Students will master trading using the Investopedia Stock Market Simulator. They can practice stock trading with virtual money. The program starts users with $100,000 to grow their cash concurrent with real-time market prices. “We want to provide an open space to discuss the market and educate people on how to identify stocks to potentially invest in,” Hussain shared.
In addition to educational initiatives, FIA plans to host trading competitions among student members to enhance motivation and challenge their skills. These competitions consist of trading scenarios where participants compete to maximize their earnings over the month, with prizes awarded based on the total profits achieved.
Students can experience the thrill of trading, all while gaining valuable experience in strategy and risk management. “We’re not here to compete against each other; our focus is on collective growth. By sharing knowledge and experiences, we can all elevate our understanding and prepare for a brighter financial future,” Pila said.
The club also gives members the opportunity to trade cryptocurrencies online. With Bitcoin contributing to the creation of more than 84,000 millionaires in the past year, students are eager to explore crypto trading. However, some express concerns about limited experiences. Senior Ameya Taralkar remarked, “Students can sometimes provide misleading information if they don’t fully grasp the concepts themselves.”
To address this issue, the club plans to invite investors from the local community to be guest speakers at meetings. Bazaraa noted, “These professionals will offer real-world experiences and answer questions, creating an engaging environment for learning.” By hearing directly from those in the field, students can gain key insights on both traditional and digital investment strategies.
More importantly, FIA brings the student body together. Whether someone is headed into business, engineering or another field, learning how to invest is a valuable skill everyone can benefit from. Like-minded students can connect with one another at these meetings. “Our intention is to bring together motivated students all interested in improving their financial literacy,” Bazaraa mentioned.
FIA not only teaches essential trading skills but also instills a mindset that can significantly impact young adults’ future decision-making. Understanding financial principles prepares students to make informed investment decisions and approach entrepreneurial opportunities with confidence.
