Sub Sea Systems, Inc. (SSS), a company specialising in immersive, memorable and hands-on aquatic encounters that educate through entertainment, is celebrating the work of its partner, the Florida Aquarium, and its Teen Achievers AQUA Experience.
The Florida Aquarium has been a licensed SeaTREK operator since July 2022.
Its 500,000-gallon, 15-foot-deep Heart of the Sea habitat takes visitors on an underwater walking adventure that features coral caves and diverse Indo-Pacific marine life such as a Māori wrasse, blue speckled grouper, spotted unicorn fish, and rescued loggerhead sea turtle.
In 2025, the experience was honoured with the SeaTREK Operator of the Year Award. This recognised the aquarium's exceptional performance, unwavering dedication to education and conservation, and its service to the local community.
Teen Achievers AQUA Experience
In 2026, the Florida Aquarium built on this success by launching the Teen Achievers AQUA Experience, which encourages participants to achieve, question, understand, and aspire.
Delivered in partnership with Bank of America and the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, the programme works with historically underserved communities to provide access to marine sciences, leadership development, and hands-on conservation education.
Tony Rokita, senior vice president of community engagement & social impact at The Florida Aquarium, says: "Many of our students come from communities where hands-on marine science experiences are rarely accessible.
"Experiencing marine life up close inspires confidence and curiosity while opening doors to careers in science, conservation, and environmental stewardship."
The Teen Achievers AQUA Experience participants and their instructors underwater in the Florida Aquarium's SeaTREK experienceImage courtesy of Sub Sea Systems
As part of the initiative, three middle and high school students were invited to a hands-on learning experience in the Florida Aquarium's SeaTREK. The participants were selected based on academic success, consistent attendance, and positive engagement at school.
One participant was 7th-grade student Lanae, who says: "I never thought I’d get to walk under the water with sea turtles and fish!
"It made me feel like I could do anything and maybe even have a career helping animals one day."
Meagan Smithyman, executive director of community schools & family outreach for the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, says: "Career Discovery Experiences, such as this, are an important part of the Achievers program.
"They allow students to gain valuable insight into potential interests and career opportunities through exposure.
"Exposure to new career opportunities expands a young person’s mind to what they may achieve in the future, and helps them to connect their interests, education, and skills to post-secondary goals."
Sub Sea Systems proudly supports The Florida Aquarium and the inspiring work it is undertaking within the local community.
Earlier this year, Sub Sea Systems marked the official launch of the world’s first Aquaticar underwater adventure ride at Aquarabia, Qiddiya City.
