After leading a few seasons of Tinkergarten, the Austins began to homeschool their oldest child, Rilynn. As a former NYS Dual-Certified Teacher, who taught preschool, 2nd grade, 6th grade, and middle and high school science, and held the position of Science Department Chair at a private school in NY, Brittany was determined to create a life-long love of learning in her kids. She started thinking of ways to incorporate the outdoor, nature-based learning aspects of Tinkergarten, into a more STEAM focused program that could be geared to older kids. Following the completion of Rilynn’s kindergarten year, Brittany began getting ideas down on paper and coming up with the framework for an outdoor, Christian, homeschool co-op - Mighty Trees STEAM Explorers. In 2023, Tinkergarten was absorbed by Highlights for Children and unfortunately, just a year later, it was dissolved as a separate, private company, but leaders were encouraged to keep teaching through their own businesses. Leading Tiny Seeds and Mighty Trees combines Brittany’s passion for science and teaching and allows her to not only encourage a love of learning in her own children, but in explorers (and guides) of all ages!

The name Tiny Seeds Nature Play was chosen from a phrase that caught Brittany’s attention and that seemed so fitting to the work that was done at Tinkergarten - ‘From Tiny Seeds, Grow Mighty Trees.’ Tinkergarten welcomed even the tiniest explorers to play, learn, and grow with nature. With the addition of Mighty Trees STEAM Explorers, this motto now has even greater meaning. We plant tiny seeds of curiosity about the world, compassion for nature’s creatures, and love for the outdoors (in all types of weather)! From these tiny seeds, we watch children grow into mighty explorers filled with confidence in their abilities, interactions, and intelligence. Our tiny seeds grow into mighty trees that can one day change the world!