The future investment stars are already with us. The NYSE Financial Future Challenge, operated by the NYSE Foundation, By Kids for Kids, K12 Inc. and the United Investors Association, is in full swing, with five finalists just identified. To reach this level, the participants had to develop a new product, idea or process that would "excite, educate and motivate their peers" to become interested in the financial marketplace. The eventual winner lurks within this subset and will receive a $2,500 prize -- a great way to get that portfolio started. And, he or she will be feted at a closing bell ceremony at the NYSE (NYX) on January 11, 2010.

The finalists presented a variety of ideas which are sure to generate some buzz. Kelsey Foss, a 12-year-old from Mountainville, NY, proposed a new television show, "Stock Market Tycoon Idol," which would harness the popularity of reality TV while amping up the content. The program would involve the journeys of 10 kids as they seek to make money or lose it, with the possibility of becoming virtual millionaires along the way. The show would be set at a mock NYSE studio on Wall Street, and exports would be brought out to mentor the contestants. The reality TV reach would help engage a younger audience.

Summer is upon us, and for those of you who like to invest in companies you can examine up close, this is the perfect opportunity to expense some travel to the nation's amusement parks. For research, of course. One way to judge the quality of these stocks is how nauseous they makes you (in a good way, of course). For example, here are the 2006 top 10 steel roller coasters in the country as rated by The Internet Best Roller Coaster Poll.

1. Superman, Six Flags New England, Springfield, MA (Six Flags Inc., NYSE: SIX)
2. Millennium Force, Cedar Point, Sandusky, OH (Cedar Fair Entertainment Co., NYSE: FUN)
3. Nitro, Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ
4. Goliath, Six Flags Over Georgia, Atlanta, GA
5. SheiKra, Busch Gardens, Tampa FL (Anheuser-Busch, NYSE: BUD)
6. Superman, Six Flags America, Baltimore MD
7. Montu, Busch Gardens, Tampa FL
8. Phantom's Revenge, Kennywood Park, Pittsburg, PA (Kennywood Entertainment)
9. Superman, Darian Lake, Buffalo, NY (CNL Income Properties)
10. Dueling Dragons-Fire, Universal Islands of Adventure, Orlando, FL (General Electric, NYSE:GE)

Looking for a way to teach your children about stocks? A few shares in one of their favorite parks might capture their attention!