Program Overview
Everything you need to master futures trading
Complete Curriculum
20 comprehensive chapters organized into 4 progressive parts, covering everything from market basics to advanced trading strategies.
View CurriculumInteractive Games
Hands-on learning through scenario-based games, role-playing exercises, and real-time trading simulations.
Play GamesTrading Simulator
Practice trading futures contracts in a risk-free environment with virtual capital and real market dynamics.
Start TradingDownload Materials
Access the complete course as a Word document, implementation guides, and supplementary educational resources.
Get Resources🎯 What You'll Learn
- Foundations: Understanding futures markets, participants, contracts, margin, and mechanics
- Core Skills: Technical analysis, fundamental analysis, intermarket relationships, trading psychology
- Strategy Development: Trend-following, mean-reversion, breakout, volatility-based, and algorithmic trading
- Global Context: Economics, geopolitics, currencies, interest rates, and complete trading plan development
- Practical Application: Money management, position sizing, risk control, and real-world trading scenarios
✅ Program Features
- Self-paced learning — study on your own schedule
- Comprehensive exams (midterm and final) to test your knowledge
- 300+ term master glossary for quick reference
- Capstone project for hands-on application
- Suitable for high school students through adult learners
- No prior trading experience required
- Created by Birmingham-Bessemer Youth Ministries educators
20-Chapter Curriculum
From fundamentals to mastery — one chapter at a time
PART I — FOUNDATIONS
Chapters 1-5 | Understanding the Basics
- 1. Introduction to Futures Markets
- 2. Market Participants & Their Motivations
- 3. Futures Contracts & Specifications
- 4. Margin, Leverage & Risk
- 5. Market Mechanics & Order Types
PART II — CORE TRADING SKILLS
Chapters 6-10 | Building Essential Competencies
- 6. Technical Analysis Essentials
- 7. Fundamental Analysis Essentials
- 8. Intermarket Analysis
- 9. Trading Psychology
- 10. Money Management & Position Sizing
PART III — STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT
Chapters 11-15 | Advanced Trading Approaches
- 11. Trend-Following Strategies
- 12. Mean-Reversion Strategies
- 13. Breakout & Momentum Strategies
- 14. Volatility-Based Strategies
- 15. Algorithmic & Systematic Trading
PART IV — GLOBAL & MACRO CONTEXT
Chapters 16-20 | Markets in the Real World
- 16. Global Economics & Capital Flows
- 17. Commodities & Geopolitics
- 18. Currency & Interest Rate Futures
- 19. Equity Index & Bond Futures
- 20. Building a Complete Trading Plan
Ready to Get Started?
Download the complete 20-chapter course and begin your futures trading education journey today.
Download Course MaterialsInteractive Learning Games
Learn by doing with hands-on scenarios and simulations
Who Trades Futures?
Learn about market participants through 4 game modes: scenario matching, role-playing, knowledge quiz, and comprehensive study guide.
Play NowFutures Trading Simulator
Practice trading 6 different commodity futures with virtual capital. Experience real market dynamics without financial risk.
Start TradingMargin, Leverage & Risk
Master the most critical safety concepts through interactive calculators, margin call simulations, leverage visualizations, and risk scenarios.
Play NowMore Games Coming Soon
Additional interactive games covering technical analysis, trading psychology, and strategy development are in development.
Coming Soon🎮 Game-Based Learning Benefits
- Active Engagement: Interactive scenarios keep students engaged and motivated
- Immediate Feedback: Learn from mistakes in real-time with detailed explanations
- Safe Practice: Make decisions and see consequences without real financial risk
- Multiple Learning Styles: Visual, kinesthetic, and analytical approaches
- Progress Tracking: Monitor scores and accuracy to measure improvement
- Replayability: Practice as many times as needed to master concepts
Course Resources & Downloads
Everything you need to teach or learn futures trading
Complete Course
All 20 chapters, exams, glossary, and capstone project in one comprehensive Word document. Perfect for printing or digital study.
Download Course (DOCX)Implementation Guide
Step-by-step guide for educators on implementing the futures trading simulator in classroom or online settings.
Download Guide (DOCX)Game Files
Standalone HTML files for all interactive games. Can be used offline or hosted on your own server.
Access Games📚 Additional Resources
- Master Glossary: 300+ futures trading terms with definitions
- Midterm Exam: Comprehensive test covering chapters 1-10
- Final Exam: Complete assessment of all 20 chapters
- Capstone Project: 10-week hands-on trading strategy development
- Practice Questions: End-of-chapter exercises throughout the course
- Study Guides: Built into each interactive game
👨🏫 For Educators
- Suggested curriculum timelines (semester, year-long, or self-paced)
- Discussion questions for each chapter
- Assessment rubrics and grading guidelines
- Integration ideas for existing financial literacy programs
- Recommended sequence with other BBYM courses
About This Program
Professional education for community empowerment
🎓 Educational Philosophy
This futures trading curriculum is designed to provide professional-grade education to students of all backgrounds. We believe that financial literacy, including understanding sophisticated instruments like futures, should be accessible to everyone.
Our approach emphasizes practical knowledge, risk awareness, and ethical trading practices. Students learn not just the mechanics of futures trading, but also the broader context of global markets, risk management, and responsible decision-making.
🌟 Why Learn Futures Trading?
- Career Opportunities: Opens doors to careers in finance, risk management, and commodities
- Market Understanding: Deepens comprehension of how global markets function
- Risk Management: Learn professional approaches to managing financial risk
- Economic Awareness: Understand how news, politics, and economics affect prices
- Critical Thinking: Develop analytical and decision-making skills
- Financial Literacy: Build foundation for sophisticated investment knowledge
⚠️ Important Disclaimers
- This is educational content — not investment advice
- Futures trading involves substantial risk of loss
- Practice with simulators before considering real trading
- Consult licensed financial professionals before trading with real money
- Students must be 18+ to open real futures trading accounts
- BBYM provides education, not brokerage or financial advisory services
📞 Contact & Support
Birmingham-Bessemer Youth Ministries
Financial Literacy Education Program
- Website: bbyouths.org
- Email: [Contact Email]
- Phone: [Contact Number]
Questions about the curriculum? Need help implementing the program? Want to share feedback? We'd love to hear from you!