I observed a similar experiment during the war with the lone exception that the fries were BurgerKing. Because the container was bowl shaped, much like New Orleans, water introduced into the beaker proved disastrous to the worms, not to mention the fries, which, at two days old, weren't that far removed from edibility to that point.

Logistics-wise, the experiment would prove worthier of serious consideration were the conditions one and the same, assuming you can keep the worms from drowning.

Chuckiebtoo

Since I'm her "go to" worm person, I was thinking of advising her not to add water. Introduce it to the flask only in bedding (what bedding would I use that would enable them to still see the fries? some vermicompost from my home bin?). Thoughts? I want her and her students to have good experience with the worms so that they are willing to consider doing a vermicomposting project on a larger scale.

Lots of salt on those fries (not sure if that's a problem)

Indeed, if the fries were salted the way McD's fries are usually salted then worms in the experiment would not be a good idea.

If the worms are to ingest those fries then they almost certainly need to be moistened. She might consider adding water slowly over a few days and 1) watching if/how much is absorbed, and 2) observing with her students any impact the additional moisture might have on the molds (do they decline or increase with the addition of water).

Once the fries are moistened worms can be introduced to the flask. In bedding, not in bedding, along with a few leaves, all are reasonable and interesting ideas for introducing worms to the flask. As I've not seen nor heard of this being done before there are no obvious recommendations beyond common sense, which you already display in abundance.

If she tries this be sure to let us know the results!

Kelly S

I shall pioneer some new ground then. Pictures of the fries and the worms and her classroom shall be forthcoming tomorrow. Stay tuned.