STEAM Connect Pop-Up Recap at Lan Su Chinese Garden

Uncovering Hidden Structures at Lan Su Chinese Garden

Our latest STEAM Connect Pop Up took a group of Next-Gen Pros behind the scenes of Portland’s iconic Lan Su Chinese Garden on May 13, 2026. Led by Haley, Volunteer Coordinator, and Patrick, the Head Gardener/Horticulturist, our students/guests spent 90 minutes exploring how 16th-century Ming Dynasty artistry intersects with modern science and engineering.

The Science of the Scenery

The tour revealed that maintaining a “living museum” requires constant scientific monitoring and unique structural solutions:

• Ancient Structural Engineering: Patrick pointed out that the garden’s buildings contain no metal fasteners. Following traditional Chinese techniques, each structure is held together by precision wood joinery and pegs, allowing the buildings to remain flexible.
• The Art of Rain: Haley drew attention to the intentional design of the roof tiles. The convex shape and the specialized “drip tiles” feature small nubs at the edge. These are designed to disperse water constantly, creating a fantastic visual effect where rain streams down in decorative, curved patterns rather than a flat sheet.

• Urban Nature: Nestled in the core of Portland’s urban Chinatown district, we discussed the ecosystem’s frequent other visitors, from the hummingbirds in the blossoms, the duck family from the waterfall story Patrick shared, to the herons that occasionally visit the pond (and sometimes even eat the koi!).
• Balancing the Ecosystem: Patrick shared some of the other very real scientific challenges: testing the pond water and managing pH levels, challenges of maintaining a water level and in doing so, the impact of adding chlorinated city water, which damages the important biology of the pond. Koi fish have to be constantly monitored (monthly testing) for parasitic infection and treatment, including a quarantine tank he showed us in one the non-public areas. Planting locations also matter, for example, rhododendrons and azaleas are highly toxic to fish, so they cannot be placed near the water’s edge.

• The “Foot Massage” Pathways: Students were fascinated by the beautiful stone pathways. The varied textures and specific placement of the stones were traditionally designed to provide a therapeutic “foot massage” to those walking through the garden.

Career Pathways: Non-Linear Journeys

A core part of the STEAM Connect mission is showing students that there is no single way to enter a STEAM field. Our hosts each shared their own inspiring, non-linear career stories, rooted in family, curiosity, and community:

• Patrick’s Path: Patrick grew up with a mother involved in geology, volcanoes, and construction. However, he originally taught English in Turkey, New York, and London. He eventually followed his passion for plants, transitioning into horticulture through self learning and building deep community relationships.
• Haley’s Path: Originally from Indiana, Haley’s background was in public art exhibits and volunteer coordination. After navigating pandemic-era challenges, she moved to Portland and utilized her skills in community organizing and now leads volunteer efforts at Lan Su, and has expanded her role to include serving as a regular guide.

The Business and Operations of STEAM

The event concluded with a lovely tea service, where we discussed the professional operations of the site:

• Organizational Scale: Many were surprised to learn that Lan Su employs 40 people. Beyond the gardening and hospitality staff, there is a dedicated team nearby managing finance and marketing. Lan Su depends on an important volunteer network to help guide the garden’s regular visitors and facilitate the numerous events that happen throughout the year (Note: volunteering provides excellent opportunities to make new contacts for networking and career exploration! Check it out here)
• Future Growth: The garden is looking toward the future with long term plans to expand into the block currently used for parking and a greenhouse, creating new opportunities for future professionals.

By connecting with professionals like Patrick and Haley, our Next Gen Pros saw firsthand that STEAM careers are built on human connections and curious explorations around personal passions. A huge thank you to the Lan Su team for hosting our STEAM Pathways Coalition and community members!