Council for Economic Education Launches National Investment Challenge with Vanguard's Simulation Tool
The Council for Economic Education (CEE) has launched a new competition called the National Investment Challenge, aimed at equipping high school students across the U.S. with foundational investing skills through an interactive simulation tool developed by Vanguard known as My Classroom Investor. The challenge will begin in January 2027 and includes qualifying rounds, state-level competitions, and a national final in Philadelphia. Students will manage mock portfolios over a simulated 30-year period while responding to real-world financial scenarios. The initiative aligns with growing interest among teens in investing and seeks to provide practical learning experiences before they handle actual money. The program is integrated with CEE's existing educational competitions, such as the National Personal Finance Challenge. My Classroom Investor allows students to buy and sell stocks, bonds, and ETFs while experiencing market fluctuations and unexpected life events that impact their portfolios. CEE CEO Steve Bumbaugh emphasized how technology has transformed financial education for young adults, noting that tools like this simulation help deepen understanding without real-world risks. Vanguard's Aldustus (AJ) Jordan highlighted the program’s alignment with its principles of long-term financial wellness and noted it supports students in building skills relevant to professional credentials such as the CFA Investment Foundations exam.
Topics: competition educational tools high school students investing