Critical thinking through creative learning in Commerce

In HSIE classrooms a strong focus has been placed on real-world and analytical learning experiences that encourage students to apply critical thinking, interpret information and make informed decisions. Through the Skittles Trading Simulation, Year 9 Commerce students investigated why individuals and businesses invest, the risks and rewards associated with different investment choices, and the ways investments can be financed. This engaging activity required students to analyse market conditions and adapt their strategies in response to changing circumstances. Through hands-on experiences such as this, students develop valuable insights into investment decision-making, market behaviour and the impact of transaction costs on returns, while building the analytical skills, financial literacy and confidence needed to become informed consumers, active citizens and responsible participants in Australia’s economy. Thank you to Vanessa Lam (HSIE teacher) for facilitating this creative learning experience for Year 9 Commerce students.

Ms Brigida Zagora
Head of HSIE

Teacher reflection

In Year 9 Commerce, students took part in a Skittles Trading simulation to explore how investing works in real markets. Each student began with a packet of Skittles and had 30 minutes to trade with classmates to collect as many Skittles of one colour as possible. Every trade incurred a small transaction fee paid to the Skittles Trade Commissioner (the teacher), helping students see how fees can reduce overall returns. The activity encouraged strategic thinking, giving students a hands-on understanding of market behaviour, decision making and the impact of transaction costs on investment outcomes.
Ms Vanessa Lam
HSIE Teacher

Student reflections

The Skittles activity in commerce showed me how investing works by letting me choose one colour to focus on, just like picking an asset in real life. Trading with classmates helped me see how supply and demand changes value, because some colours became more popular while others weren’t worth much. Having to give one Skittle to the teacher as a ‘bank fee’ after every trade taught me that every investment has transaction costs that reduce profit. Overall, I learned that investing involves strategy, risk, watching trends and understanding that every trade has a cost. All these ideas link directly to how real markets work.
Aryssa Poulos
Year 9

During this Skittles trading game, I learnt that every trade had a cost. The activity taught me about investing by allowing me to experience risk taking, strategic thinking and the cost of my decisions. This helped me to learn about situations in the real world where investors face fees and risks, and must choose trades that help them reach their goals.
Jade Lahoud
Year 9

The Skittles trading game showed me that investing involves strategy, risk and careful decision‑making. I learnt that every trade has a cost because giving a Skittle to the fee commissioner (our teacher) lowered my final result. The activity also demonstrated how markets change when everyone wants the same colour, which affects how people trade. This links to the real world because investors deal with fees, competition and changing demand when trying to build a portfolio. Overall, the game taught me that smart choices and patience can improve your outcome.
Ava Sleiman
Year 9