The Rotary Challenge

The Rotary Challenge uses the University of Illinois Securities Exchange Simulation (UISES) investment simulation to give students practical experience with investments and to foster a degree of familiarity with the technology that dominates the business world today.

The simulation provides each student with a $1,000,000 portfolio and an on-line brokerage account from which the student buys and sells equities. Prizes are offered for students, teachers, and schools that generate the highest rates of return on their simulated portfolios.

In spring 2007, the school prize was a package of five train tickets to Chicago so that the school could send students on a field trip to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange or the Chicago Board of Trade.

Information For Schools

If your school would like to get involved in the Rotary Challenge then please contact Elisabeth Oltheten or Kevin Waspi at the University of Illinois Business School.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How much does the simulation cost?
2. Is there course material that goes with the simulation?
3. I am not in the Champaign-Urbana area. Can my school still participate?
4. Over what dates does the challenge run?
5. Are there further guidelines for UISES?
6. Do you have a privacy statement?

1. How much does the simulation cost?
   • The UISES simulation costs $15 per student per semester. However, High Schools qualify for a grant-in-kind whereby Rotary and the College of Business at the University of Illinois cover the cost of the accounts. At the end of the semester you will receive a statement indicating that you have generated for the school a grant-in-kind of $X.
2. Is there course material that goes with the simulation?
   • The "Introduction to Stock Market Investment" course is on-line. Participants in the Rotary Challenge may use this course material either for yourself or for your students.
3. I am not in the Champaign-Urbana area. Can my school still participate?
   • Absolutely. We let Rotary know that an out-of-district school wants to participate and Rotary will pass this information along to the Rotary group in your area. This way Rotarians in your local area can volunteer to Business Mentor in your school.
4. Over what dates does the challenge run?
   • The fall challenge runs from September 15 through November 30 and the spring challenge from February 1 through April 30.
5. Are there further guidelines for UISES?
   • Yes. Just check out our K12 Resources under UISES in the classroom.
6. Do you have a privacy statement?
   • Absolutely. Read our Privacy Statement.