Wharton Global Youth Investment Competition: Middle School Edition

Intro to Investing: A Middle School Competition with Wharton Global Youth

Price: $949 USD
Age: 11 - 14
Skill Level: Beginner–Advanced
Format: Summer Online Teen Academies | Small-Group, Online
Duration: Two-week program, 2-hour lesson per day

About This Course

Developing strong financial skills has never been more fun! Using a world-class stock market simulation from business education leader Wharton Global Youth Program, you and your teammates will start with $100,000 to build a solid investment plan, competing with other teams to create the most robust strategy for meeting your client’s financial goals amidst a volatile market. This competition framework is designed to get you thinking about financial goals while making decisions based on a real client’s needs. Throughout the two week course, you'll make adjustments to your investment plan, constantly evaluating your progress. Top participants will be recognized based on their insights and planning, and each student will earn a certificate upon submitting their final project.

In this course you will:

Understand key investment concepts and put your skills to the test with the Wharton Investment Simulation (WInS) and $100,000 in virtual funds
Develop a plan and make adjustments based on a real client’s needs
Apply analytical thinking to stock investments
Embrace creativity to differentiate your team's strategy
Work with a team of peers to create and execute on a shared vision

Sample Schedule

Sessions 1-5: Investing 101

Begin by building a collaborative investment team on the Wharton Investment Simulator (WInS). As you explore the world of risks and return, you’ll track stocks in real time using the Google Finance API with mathematical formulas and charts to analyze historical prices and changes in the current market.

Sessions 6-10: Personal Financial Planning

While building your team’s stock portfolio for your client, you’ll analyze high-risk investment situations like cryptocurrency and GME, and then develop your own sense of financial literacy by designing budgets and crunching numbers to see how investments, rent, and expenses play against net income.

Your Child's Certification

The Wharton Global Youth Program and iD Tech grant a certificate of completion to participants. To receive the certificate, teams must submit their final projects at the conclusion of the course.

After successful completion of the course, your child’s blockchain encrypted digital certificate will be emailed to you, at no additional cost, with the name you used when registering for the course. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of Wharton and iD Tech.

Learn from the best.

100% USA-based, adult instructors
Recruited from top universities like Stanford, Caltech, and NYU
Rigorous background and reference checks
Robust training programs and certification
Adherence to American Camp Association accredited guidelines

Instructor Highlights

Chris M.

Software Engineer
at Google

Instructor Highlights

Chris M.

Software Engineer
at Google

“My time as an iD instructor was really formative. I stayed with STEM in college as a Computer Science and Electrical Engineering major, and now I’m working at Google in Chicago. If you find yourself thinking about STEM-related things outside of school, follow that passion. Major in it. Keep pursuing it.”

Instructor Highlights

Aspen C.

Associate Designer
at Bethesda Softworks

Instructor Highlights

Aspen C.

Associate Designer
at Bethesda Softworks

“The spirit of innovation and creativity I felt around my students while teaching Unity led me toward my career as a professional game designer. My time at iD Tech taught me that no dream is too big, and that brilliant ideas can come from anywhere.”

Instructor Highlights

Brian M.

Software Engineer
at Disney

Instructor Highlights

Brian M.

Software Engineer
at Disney

“The opportunity to create an environment of collaboration, inclusion, and creativity was a truly special experience. The skills I honed while teaching at iD Tech led me to my software engineering roles at ESPN and the Walt Disney Company.”

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What Parents Are Asking

Why does my child need this course?

A survey of U.S. youths revealed that 18% of respondents did not possess fundamental financial skills that are used in everyday life, like budgeting, comparison shopping, and reading invoices (youth.gov). This course will help your child build their knowledge by immersing them in real-world situations where they can put their insights and planning skills to the test.

Is this course right for my child?

This course is ideal for business and finance-minded students interested in investing, leadership, and management. It’s also perfect for those who want to boost their college resumes with official certification and prepare for the prestigious Wharton Global High School Investment Competition!

Is this course right for kids who are new to finance?

Yes! Kids of all skill levels will benefit from this course. Our iD Tech instructors provide individual attention so each child can progress at their own pace.

What are the technical requirements for this course?

In order for your child to participate, they will need a Mac or Windows computer, webcam, and stable internet connection with access to Zoom video conferencing. Curriculum will be delivered through Canvas.