Date: July 2025 – April 2026
CAS Strand: Creativity
SDGs: 4
During this CAS experience, I started and managed the Investment and Trading Club in school. The purpose of the club was to introduce students to the basics of investing and financial literacy in a simple and engaging way. Many students are curious about stocks, trading, and money management but rarely get the opportunity to learn about it in a structured environment. By creating this club, I wanted to provide a space where students could explore these topics together and develop a better understanding of how financial systems work.
The first session focused on introductions, general discussions, and understanding what students already knew about investments. I noticed that while some students already had basic knowledge about stocks or trading, others were completely new to the subject. Because of this difference in experience, I had to make sure that the sessions were balanced so that beginners could follow along while still keeping the discussions interesting for those with prior knowledge.
As the club progressed, I introduced interactive activities to make learning more practical. One of the most engaging sessions involved giving teams ₹10,000 in virtual money and asking them to build a simple investment portfolio. Students had to choose between different investment options such as stocks, mutual funds, gold, and cryptocurrency, and then justify their decisions based on risk, return, and time horizon. This activity encouraged critical thinking and helped students understand how investors make decisions in real-life situations.
Another important part of the club involved teaching members how to research companies before investing. Students explored platforms like Investopedia to understand financial concepts and practiced analyzing companies by looking at their background, industry, and potential growth. Over time, students became more proactive and started asking deeper questions about markets and investment strategies, which showed that their curiosity and interest in the subject were growing.
Overall, the club became a collaborative learning environment where students could explore financial topics in a practical and engaging way. Seeing members become more confident in discussing investments and financial concepts made the experience very rewarding for me.
LO1: Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth
Through this experience, I realized that one of my strengths is explaining concepts and guiding discussions. However, I also learned that financial topics can sometimes be complex for beginners. This pushed me to improve the way I communicate ideas by simplifying explanations and using practical examples so that everyone could understand them more easily.
LO2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process
One challenge I faced was managing a group where students had very different levels of knowledge about investing. Some members were already familiar with financial concepts, while others were learning about them for the first time. I had to adjust the pace of the sessions and encourage questions so that everyone could stay engaged and benefit from the discussions.
LO3: Initiate and plan a CAS experience
Starting the Investment and Trading Club required planning and initiative. I had to think about how to structure the sessions, what topics should be introduced first, and how to create activities that would make learning interactive. Planning and leading these sessions helped me develop organizational skills and allowed me to take responsibility for guiding the learning experience of the group.
LO5: Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively
Many of the club activities involved teamwork. When students created their investment portfolios, they worked together to discuss ideas, analyze risks, and decide where to allocate their virtual funds. This collaboration allowed them to learn from each other’s perspectives and made the sessions more dynamic and engaging.
LO6: Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance
Investing is closely connected to the global economy, and through the club we discussed how global events can influence financial markets. Students began to understand that economic trends, technological developments, and international events can affect investments. This helped highlight the importance of financial awareness and responsible decision-making in today’s interconnected world.
Leading the club helped me understand how valuable financial education can be at a young age. The experience strengthened my leadership skills and showed me that creating opportunities for others to learn can be just as meaningful as learning something new yourself.
