What is the future of Tesla stock? Why are more companies staying private longer? What role do avocados play in the stock market? How can you try and predict whether a stock is going to go up or down? 

These questions weren’t the topic of discussion in a college economics class, but instead were being asked in the Garrison Forest Lower School as GFS 4th and 5th Grade learned the answers to these questions and more during a visit from current GFS parent and portfolio manager George Sakellaris. As part of their year-long, in-depth learning around financial literacy, the students take part in the stock market game, a state-wide, 4th and 5th grade stock market competition. Mr. Sakellaris came to speak with the students to give the girls a real-world view of the stock market and to share insight on holding careers in finance and economics. 

A biology major in college, Mr. Sakellaris shared with the girls how he became interested in finance and how it is a major shift from his educational background. Describing his job as part weatherman, part police officer and part reporter, he encouraged the girls to think about careers in investment as there are very few women in the field. He explored a variety of areas related to the field from exploring bonds to even stock market fraud.  The students came prepared with questions that ranged from questions about his favorite stocks to how much competition is involved in the industry. 

A few of the pieces of insight he shared with the students: 
•    The stock market is unpredictable and you can never be absolutely positive. It is important in the field to learn from your mistakes. 
•    Have a long term view on stocks and don’t rush to get rid of them just because they go down. 
•    Invest in mutual funds to build a diversified portfolio.
•    Look at P/E ratios and earnings per share.
•    You can buy a stock, sell it, then buy it back.   

The students look forward to incorporating what they learned from Mr. Sakellaris’ visit into the stock market game. 

During the stock market game the girls compete against other 4th and 5th grade teams in Maryland. They work in groups of four with $100,000 to invest in the stock market. They use Yahoo! Finance and charts, graphs, P/E ratio, earnings per share, 52 week range, and other data to determine which stocks to buy. Each week the girls check their stock portfolio and make decisions about other stocks to buy and whether to sell stocks.