Here in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, three distinct rivers — the Ashley, the Cooper and the Wando — wind through our landscape, breathing life into everything they touch. Yet it’s when their paths converge and form something deeper that communities come together. Aptly, the South Carolina Aquarium sits at this confluence. It’s only fitting that we see the same phenomenon every day at the Aquarium: passionate individuals coming together to uplift a greater mission.  

My name is Brian Thill, and I am the Chief Experience Officer and Senior Vice President of Education at the Aquarium. For nearly 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of watching young learners — like small headwaters — discover their spark and grow into something greater. In my experience, it’s STEM education that can turn this trickle of curiosity into a current of purpose.

Will you help new learners reach our confluence through STEM education? 

Each river starts in a different place until they eventually flow into something stronger. Three of our educators — Isac Barragan, Grace Taylor and Benjamin Blauch — had similar experiences in their longstanding connection to the Aquarium. 

The Ashley: Isac. At 18 years old, Isac became a mentor for our High School Intern Program. Coming from a Spanish-speaking background, Isac used his lived experiences and this mentor role to launch a fulfilling career in education at the Aquarium — specifically one that fed into goals of accessibility and inclusivity.  

Isac began translating key components of the Aquarium experience to help bridge the gap for new communities to connect with the world within our walls. The Spanish announcements that ring throughout our exhibits, our bilingual signage and inclusive advertisements are ripples that stemmed from Isac’s commitment to curiosity, growth and connection.

The Cooper: Grace. Grace started out initially behind the scenes as an animal care intern but repeatedly found herself in the main galleries, sharing her appreciation of the natural world with our guests. After returning as a volunteer, it became clear that Grace thrived when given the opportunity to inspire visitors and share her expertise with volunteers.  

Now an educator specializing in training and supporting our volunteers, Grace dedicates each day working with those who have devoted free time to spreading our mission. These volunteers are often the spark that ignites a lifelong admiration in our guests for water, wildlife and wild places. 

Finally, the Wando: Benjamin. As a child, Benjamin was enamored by the Aquarium’s enthusiastic staff members and immersive animal encounters. That trickle of inspiration led him to volunteer with our Splash Program before later becoming an Aquateen. His passion for the natural world — coupled with the STEM education and professional development these programs offered — launched his career in education at the Aquarium.

I frequently tell my team that someone is always watching, that inspiration could strike at any moment; Benjamin is living proof of that. From floor programming and animal encounters to teen offerings and our classroom curriculum, any moment of STEM education could inspire a young learner to flow further.

Like the Ashley, the Cooper and the Wando, these educators came from unique backgrounds and met at a confluence here at the Aquarium. But at the heart of this confluence, and what keeps these rivers flowing, is you. 

Will you help us nurture these curious kids to create a current of impact through our education programs? 

We never know what that catalyst could be — that moment that sends someone’s initial inspired trickle on a deeper path. It could be a virtual program, a school field trip or a connection with a volunteer. With your support, we can continue to provide countless opportunities for the next generation. 

Every kid who comes to the Aquarium through these programs helps us to maintain our watershed — and with your support, their impact continues downstream. 

Published November 10, 2025