Out on Beaver Street, a STEM festival and farm stand opening

Two very different scenes unfolded along Beaver Street on Saturday, offering a snapshot of spring in Waltham. At Camp Cedar Hill, hundreds of Girl Scouts dove into hands-on science at an energetic STEM Fest, while just down the road, the Waltham Fields Community Farm welcomed visitors with fresh produce, local goods and the start of a new growing season.

More than 300 Girl Scouts gathered at Camp Cedar Hill in Waltham for Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts’ annual STEM Fest on Saturday. The hands-on event is designed to spark curiosity and inspire interest in science and technology.

The event transformed the camp into an interactive learning environment where participants explored a wide range of STEM activities and connected with professionals in related fields.

Girl Scouts piloted drones, built robots, analyzed strawberry DNA, practiced mock surgical procedures and assembled functioning electrical circuits, among other activities. The event encouraged attendees to design their own experience by choosing from a variety of stations and challenges.

Organizers said the goal of STEM Fest is to provide engaging, real-world opportunities for Girl Scouts to explore potential career paths and develop problem-solving skills in science, technology, engineering and math.

The event was presented by MilliporeSigma.

Farm store opening day

Crunchy watermelon radishes, Iggy’s French baguettes, New England cheeses and gourmet snacks were among the goodies on sale at the Waltham Fields Community Farm’s store opening day on Saturday. Del’s Coffee Roasters served steaming cups of its organic coffee on an almost-completed side porch. The plan is to enclose the porch with screens to provide a bug-free open-air space for vendors this summer. 

A gaggle of Canada geese rooted about alongside volunteers working in the fields and greenhouses, preparing soil and planting crops for the growing season.