Hawaii students plunged head first last week into the worst recession in decades when they began testing their stock-picking skills in the state's Stock Market Simulation program.

The interactive contest kicked off with 1,985 students consis of 702 teams and 30 schools representing Oahu, the Big Island, Maui, Kauai and Molokai. There are 47 teachers involved in the 10-week competition, which ends April 17.

“;For the 2008-2009 school year, participation in the Hawaii Stock Market Simulation is at an all-time high,”; said Kristine Castagnaro, executive director of the Hawaii Council on Economic Education. “;Teachers are finding that there is a great opportunity in these volatile times to get young people excited about learning how the markets work and their effect on the world economy.”;

The twice-a-year contest is funded by the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Office of the Securities Commissioner.

Students in grades 3 through 12 invest a hypothetical $100,000 in stocks, bonds and mutual funds over the 10-week period. There are four divisions - aggressive growth, income growth, growth, and elementary - that require different allocations of stocks and bonds.

The first- and second-place team members at the end of the session receive $100 and $50 savings bonds.

Registration for the program remains open throughout the simulation.

Results can be viewed at www.hawaiisms.com/ranking1.php.