[2] Soon after that other local campuses took an interest in the group, and following the approval of the petition by McKendree College to start a chapter in June 1926 Sigma Zeta began its growth into a national collegiate honor society.

[3] In a letter that appeared in the correspondence section of the American Chemical Society Journal of Chemical Education Sigma Zeta was offered as an alternative for small colleges to the existing Sigma Xi honor society which often passed over small colleges for membership as they focused on larger Universities.

Sigma Zeta became an international organization in 2024 with the chartering of a Gamma Phi chapter at St. Mary’s University in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

[6] Sigma Zeta's badge is a gold key, shaped like an open book, with the Greek letters ΣΖ above various scientific symbols.

[11] These activities can include programs for younger students at local schools helping to promote science education at early ages.