Fifth Graders Run a City as Muma BizTown Celebrates 20 Years

February 18, 2026

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This week, nearly 120 fifth graders from Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred ran an entire city, and The Florida Aquarium was right there with them. In its third year at Muma BizTown, Roger Germann, President and CEO of The Florida Aquarium, along with team members, joined the students inside their storefront, stepping into their world of budgets, businesses, and boardroom decisions. One student even served as “CEO for the Day,” shadowing Germann and gaining a firsthand look at what it takes to lead a major Tampa Bay organization.

The visit also marked a milestone for Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay: the 20th anniversary of BizTown—now officially Muma BizTown—and Partner Tribute Day, recognizing the Aquarium for helping bring learning opportunities to life for students across the region.

After weeks of classroom preparation, students interviewed for jobs, got hired, and ran their businesses like real professionals—marketing products, producing goods, and making decisions that showed how leadership and financial choices shape a thriving community.

“The Florida Aquarium’s partnership goes far beyond a name on a storefront,” said Richard George, President of Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay. “By investing time, talent, and leadership, students are connecting classroom learning to real-world careers. By showing up and engaging directly with kids, The Florida Aquarium is shaping the next generation of confident, capable leaders for the future of our community.”

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Courtesy: The Florida Aquarium

CEO and Team Step into the Student-Sized City
Adding to the excitement, Germann and 16 team members from the Aquarium worked alongside students in the Aquarium’s BizTown storefront as part of the organization’s Day of Action, mentoring students and supporting their work throughout the day.

“At The Florida Aquarium, we believe it’s our responsibility to make the world a better place. Whether we’re saving marine life or inspiring the next generation of leaders, investing in our youth through partnerships like Junior Achievement’s Muma BizTown makes a lasting difference,” said Germann. “Seeing these students confidently dive into professional roles, tackle real-world challenges, and make meaningful decisions is energizing, and a powerful reminder that anything is possible.”

Celebrating the Impact on Thousands of Students
The 20th anniversary also marks the official renaming to Muma BizTown, in honor of philanthropists Pam and Les Muma. Their decades of support, including a $5 million planned gift and $2–3 million in operational funding, have impacted more than 300,000 students across Tampa Bay.

In the 2024–25 school year alone, Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay served 46,270 students across a 13-county region, delivering more than 1.85 million instructional contact hours. The milestone will be celebrated at Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay’s Spirit of Achievement event on March 5, 2026.