I have found that Ebay is a goldmine when locating information, props, and pictures for school projects.  When my daughter was in eighth grade, she was assigned a project on Nineteenth Century Medicine. She was to display her information on a tri-fold board. After researching the subject, she learned that phrenology, cupping, and bleeding were common concepts and produres during the 1800's. 

We searched Ebay and actually found some old cuppping cups.  For the purpose of this guide, I have found that cupping cups, phrenology statues and manuals, a doctor/pharmacist's kit,and an instrument for bleeding are currently being offered on Ebay auctions!

For my daughter's project, we purchased a cup and ran off pictures of the phrenology head.  The best find for her project, however, was an 1800's-era doctor's kit, complete with all the barbaric instruments used during that time period.  We couldn't afford to bid on the kit, but we did cut and paste pictures of it for her display board.

Ebay not only made the 19th century tangible for my daughter and her classmates, but it also aided her research.  I have found that sellers are very good to answer questions.  Ebays are Educators!  (I just rececently learned what a "hair receiver" was from a helpful seller).   By the way, not only did my daughter receive the highest grade for her project, it was also passed around the school for other teachers to see.  She was told that it was the best project they had ever seen, and that even the teachers learned a lot.  The cupping cup was really a hit!  The kids couldn't believe that they actually got to hold an item was was used in the 1800's!  The bottom line is that Ebay is a wonderful source for information and props for many school projects.  If you can't afford the item, a picture of the item will oftentimes suffice.

For another project on the Rainforest, we were the high bidder on a blue morpho butterfly.  It was so exciting for my daughter to share with her class a Rainforest creature that they were studying! 

Once again, all the items we won were inexpensive.  Items that were out of our budget, we simply printed the auction pictures and pasted them onto to display boards.

Steps for School Project Research on Ebay:

1.  Write down buzz words that you can type in the Search feature.  Don't forget to also check that you want to search in the item's title and description.

2.. When you find an item, consider bidding on it.  Will it be a good Show and Tell prop?

3.  If you can't afford to bid, simply print, copy,  and paste the picture of the item that's being auctioned into your project.  You'd be amazed how well the pictures turn out and enhance the project.

4.  Sellers are approachable!  Ask the seller for information on the item.  Often, you can receive additional information that will aid in your research.

5.  Sellers are often willing to help you out. The seller of the cupping cups was selling them as a set of two.  My daughter needed only one, and the seller graciously opened up an additoinal auction for just one cup.