Charlotte Talks on WFAE

Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education On this edition of Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins we discuss the workings of the CMS Board of Education with several of its members. Contact the show: 704-926-9323, 800-603-9323, charlottetalks@wfae.org or comment at Charlotte Blogs.

Wicked A split show, on this edition of Charlotte Talks, we'll meet two of the cast members on the US Tour of the Broadway hit Wicked. The show landed in Charlotte last week to sold out crowds. We'll talk about how this story of the Witches of Oz came to be and about the concept of "looking at things in another way".

Ambassador Afif Safieh On this edition of Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins, it's a conversation with Palestinian Ambassador to the U.S. Afif Safieh. He's in town to speak about the 60th Anniversary of Al Nakba, or the 1948 Palestinian Exodus. We'll talk about what that experience meant for his family and for Palestinians. Then we'll move to present time and explore the situration in Israel now, discuss U.S. / Arab relations, and more. Contact the show: 704-926-9323, 800-603-9323, charlottetalks@wfae.org or comment at Charlotte Blogs.

The Physics of NASCAR Diandra Leslie-Pelecky is a physicist and author of the recent book, The Physics of NASCAR: How to Make Steel + Gas + Rubber = Speed She joins us on Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins to talk about how she became fascinated with NASCAR through her professional expertise and we'll talk about some of the physics involved in stock car racing - two things you might not think go together! Contact the show: 704-926-9323, 800-603-9323, charlottetalks@wfae.org or comment at Charlotte Blogs.

Ira Flatow and Science Education Ira Flatow, host of NPR's Talk of the Nation Science Friday, will be on the show during this edition of Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins. We'll talk about science education and getting the general public interested in science. We'll also be joined by two local science experts who work towards getting Charlotteans interested in science. Contact the show: 704-926-9323, 800-603-9323, charlottetalks@wfae.org or comment at Charlotte Blogs. Photo: Carl Flatow 1997

Kids are preparing for their school years at younger and younger ages. The North Carolina Ready Schools Initiative is aimed at making sure children are prepared to enter school and that educators are properly trained to teach them, no matter what each child's proficiency level may be. We'll look at the initiative and how CMS is adapting it. Guest Ann Clark - CMS Curriculum Development Contact the show: 704-926-9323, 800-603-9323, charlottetalks@wfae.org or comment at Charlotte Blogs.