Council for Economic Education

The South Dakota Stock Market Game Program is sponsored by the South Dakota Council on Economic Education housed at USD’s Beacom School of Business and Black Hills State University's Center for Business and Entrepreneurial Studies.

The Stock Market Game is a competition is which teams of students from fourth grade through college invest $100,000 in "play" money in stocks and mutual funds. Cash prizes are awarded at the end of the session in the following divisions:

• Junior High: Grades 4-8
• High School: Grades 9-12
• College: Grades 13-16

You will participate in the simulation develop skills in math, computers, business, economics, language arts, social science, research and critical thinking. Participation in the program includes several newsletters and materials that teach the students about the stock market, the American economic system and the global economy. Teams research certain stocks via the computer and invest in companies that they believe will appreciate in price during the competition. Free workshops prior to the start of the spring and fall programs are provided to show the teachers and students how the game is played and to discuss various learning tools.

Participate Now

Contact Information

Don Altmyer, Program Coordinator
South Dakota Stock Market Game
605-642- 6266
[email protected]

The Academy of Finance (AOF) program is an outreach program of the Beacom School of Business and the S.D. Council on Economic Education. We provide business-focused courses and work experiences to high school juniors and seniors at the Sioux Falls high schools.

Benefits of Participation

• You can earn up to 17 college credits, along with five elective high school credits prior to graduation from high school.
• Experience challenging curriculum which helps prepare you for careers, college and other areas of your life.
• Participate in field trips and activities which are an integral part of the AOF experience.
• Opportunity to start and run your own business as part of the Survey of Business course.
• Participate in an internship with a local business during the summer after your junior year.
• Two senior AOF students receive a $500 Wayne Rasmussen Scholarship annually.

Each fall semester AOF students also participate in AOF Day at the USD campus in Vermillion. Students visit the Beacom School of Business where they actively participate in a lecture about the importance of studying economic development, entrepreneurship and the benefits of small business creation. Students also tour the campus, meet and enjoy lunch with the dean, professors, staff and students.

• Citibank, S.D.
• Wells Fargo
• Mt. Rushmore Black Hills Gold Co.
• Butler Machinery Company
• Spearfish Forest Products, Inc.
• Triple 7 Ranch
• Foundation for Teaching Economics
• School of Mines Institute for Atmospheric Sciences
• Beacom School of Business
• Academy of Finance
• Black Hills State University
• International Association for Citizenship, Social & Economics Education
• South Dakota State University

Workshops are held at various times throughout the year.