Using virtual reality to perform remote surgeries and spacecraft repairs, origami-inspired structures to help medicine and space exploration, and a better, and less expensive ear implant to allow many more people to hear, are some of the fascinating new technologies appearing today. And the innovators who are developing them will be on-hand to discuss their inventions on Wednesday, March 2 at 1 p.m. ET in a live Twitter chat with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and NBC Learn. To follow or participate in the Twitter chat, any Twitter user can follow or use the hashtag #ScienceofInnovation.

Two federal agencies that spur and support innovative scientific discovery – the USPTO and NSF – teamed up with one of the largest news organization’s educational arm – NBC Learn – to teach students how great scientific ideas begin, how they’re researched, and how they’re patented. The result is a new “Science of Innovation” educational videos series, created to inspire and educate students, while showing them how inventions can have significant positive impacts on society.

Originally launched in 2013, this is the second installment of the video series, which focuses on advanced manufacturing. All of the new six videos are narrated by NBC News and MSNBC anchor Kate Snow, are available through NBC affiliate stations, and can also be seen for free online on the USPTO, NBC Learn, NSF, and Science360 websites. Related lesson plans are available for middle and high school teachers on NBC Learn, and lesson plans for the new videos will be available soon. These materials for educators align with the Next Generation Science Standards, support inquiry and project-based learning, and facilitate incorporating concepts of invention and intellectual property into the classroom.

To learn more, you are invited to join the live Twitter chat on March 2 at 1 p.m ET and interact with the @USPTO, @NSF, @NBCLearn and the following featured “Science of Innovation” scientists:

Mary Frecker, professor of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering at Pennsylvania State University, whose research uses principles of origami to design better devices and equipment, including smaller, smarter, and more efficient tools for surgeons.

Angelique Johnson, CEO of MEMStim, a medical device startup that is changing the way cochlear implants are manufactured to make them more affordable for those who need them to hear.

William Provancher, founder of Tactical Haptics, whose haptic technology – using the sense of touch – has possible uses for doctors performing surgeries remotely, astronauts being able to repair satellites from inside their spacecraft, or by patients undergoing physical therapy.

Tools used in classrooms such as the Science of Innovation videos inspire and encourage students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and lay a foundation for future innovation. Learn more USPTO programs that support education on the Education and Outreach page of the USPTO website.