On September 20, 2026, members of the Formosa Association of Student Cultural Ambassadors-San Diego Chapter (FASCA-SD) gathered to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival through a hands-on mooncake-making workshop and cultural learning session. Through collaborative cooking stations and educational presentations, FASCA-SD members were introduced to the rich traditions of the holiday while strengthening their leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.

FASCA-SD project leaders created an engaging cultural environment by guiding participants through the step-by-step process of making traditional mooncakes. Working in student-led groups, members learned how to measure out taro and red bean paste, knead pastry dough, and use molds to shape each mooncake. Following instructional guides, student groups worked through each step of the preparation process together, strengthening their time-management and teamwork skills.

Throughout the workshop, FASCA-SD members took active roles in managing their stations, troubleshooting baking techniques, and coordinating with peers to keep production organized. Rather than simply following instructions, students took responsibility for their learning by helping each other through challenging steps. Managing ingredient preparation, maintaining clean workstations, and supporting fellow team members gave participants practical opportunities to build confidence, adaptability, and leadership skills.

Following the hands-on session, members learned about East Asian culture through an interactive presentation exploring the history and cultural significance of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Students learned about the traditional themes of harvest, reunion, and gratitude, as well as how the full moon and round mooncakes symbolize completeness and unity. Learning the history behind the traditional treats gave members a clearer understanding of how cultural traditions help preserve identity and connect generations.

For FASCA-SD members, starting with the hands-on activity before the lesson created a unique opportunity to connect with their heritage. By physically making the mooncakes first, students gained a personal appreciation for the tradition before exploring its deeper symbolic meaning.

“Working together at our stations showed us how important clear communication and teamwork are when bringing a traditional recipe to life,” reflected project leader Erika Shih. “Learning the history right after making the mooncakes made us realize that we aren’t just making food; we’re keeping our cultural heritage alive and passing it forward.”

FASCA-SD’s Mid-Autumn Festival workshop demonstrated how student leadership and cultural learning can come together to create meaningful experiences. By connecting hands-on learning with a reflective cultural lesson, members not only strengthened their bond with Taiwanese traditions, but also continued developing the leadership skills needed to serve as effective community ambassadors.

Reported by: Joshua Hsu, FASCA San Diego PR Team