![\"KONICA](\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/PICT0003.jpg\")
<\/a>\u201cOnce I got into it and I really got into how airplanes work, it really sparked my brain,\u201d he said.<\/p>\nFor those who know Wedertz, these \u201csparks\u201d of interest are no surprise. In fact, his name, Egan, means \u201clittle fiery one\u201d in Scottish.<\/p>\n
\u201cEgan is an amazing student in that he always comes prepared and with a passion to learn,\u201d said Donna Irish, Egan\u2019s eighth-grade science teacher. \u201cHe has a natural curiosity about the world that drives him in wanting to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a curiosity Wedertz has manifested in to several award-winning outings in different competitions. He can even recall this love of mechanics back from his elementary school days when he made a paper mache volcano.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt really interested me how all matter reacts in all different ways, and that fascinates me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The more he learned about landing aircraft, he was again fascinated with how it could work. With the school science fair coming up, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to try it out.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was just like, wow, this is a good idea, we should build an invention about it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
And that\u2019s exactly what he did.<\/p>\n
Wedertz entered his electromagnetic aircraft landing gear into the school\u2019s fair, and his project came in second place.<\/p>\n
But, he didn\u2019t stop there.<\/p>\n
Using the notes from his teachers on how he could improve the project, Wedertz fine-tuned his project and entered the Tidewater Science and Engineering Fair at Old Dominion University.<\/p>\n
After all his research, trials and work, Wedertz still was not prepared for the response to his passion project.<\/p>\n
Wedertz won honors from Prevalence and the American Helicopter Society and he placed first, overall, in engineering.<\/p>\n
\u201cI kept just getting up and getting up and getting up,\u201d he said. \u201cIt amazed me.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Wedertz, the reward was not so much in the accolades, but in the journey of exploration.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith science, you just have to find what you like to do,\u201d he said. \u201c(It\u2019s) following what interests you and putting that to work\u2026Science just interests me. I love coming up with new ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now a freshman at Kellam High School, Wedertz said he will probably take the next couple of years off the science fair circuit, but still has his love of science.<\/p>\n
As he continues on with his new ideas, he will not forget his recent project. Wedertz said he plans to continue tinkering with the electromagnetic gear \u2013 if for no other reason, than in homage of how it began.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just want to keep working on it,\u201d he said. \u201cMy dad inspired all of this; it was really fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
Compass Keeper Q&A:<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n What\u2019s your favorite movie?<\/strong> James Bond \u2013 Goldeneye<\/p>\n Who is your role model?<\/strong> Bruce Lee. He was just amazing.<\/p>\n