News Article - 3 minute read

On April 26, 2025, Sigma Mu Mu Chapter, Third District of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., proudly supported the annual Innovation Day at the Academies of Loudoun in Leesburg, Virginia. This exciting event brought together more than 70 teams of students from 16 Loudoun County elementary and middle schools—each eager to showcase their skills in robotics, engineering, and digital design.  Sigma Mu Mu brothers were honored to serve as judges for the day’s Special Innovation Project, themed around NASA’s Project Artemis—the agency’s mission to return humans to the moon and eventually to Mars.

Innovation Day is hosted by the PROPEL (Providing Rich Opportunities Plus Enrichment Learning) & Level Up programs, after-school initiatives dedicated to providing academic enrichment and STEM opportunities to high-achieving, underrepresented students. Since 2023, Sigma Mu Mu has partnered closely with PROPEL/Level Up, lending time, talent, and leadership to support after-school programming and competitions.

Students were tasked with imagining themselves as NASA engineers to design a sustainable moon base capable of supporting human life; a digital simulation of the base using Scratch coding; and a compelling PowerPoint presentation highlighting their research, model, and engineering solutions.  The teams comprising up to 3–4 students were evaluated on their knowledge of space and the Artemis mission; creativity and feasibility of their lunar base models; technical coding skills; and presentation delivery and communication.

Dr. Duane Keye, Basileus of Sigma Mu Mu, reflected on the day’s impact, commenting that

“the Artemis Challenge gave students a chance to engage in rigorous, long-term scientific exploration. It’s a powerful example of how hands-on learning prepares them for success in STEM careers—and even space exploration.”  Bro. Brian Porter, Sigma Mu Mu STEM Committee Chair, added “some of these students have participated in the program for years. It’s inspiring to witness their growth—not just in knowledge, but in confidence and creative thinking.”

Sigma Mu Mu’s continued collaboration with PROPEL/Level Up reflects its enduring commitment to uplifting youth through education, mentorship, and service—planting seeds for the next generation of innovators, leaders, and trailblazers.