The Internet of Things (IoT) devices and technologies are increasingly integral to the global market, enabling enhanced interaction and control over the physical world through networks of smart devices in homes, offices, and urban environments. However, pervasive security design flaws within these systems have become prime targets for hackers, increasing the risk of security breaches. This highlights the critical need for specialized education programs that prepare STEM students with the skills and knowledge to tackle these security challenges. This paper introduces a security class on IoT which is designed and taught at Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA with the goal to address this gap by integrating hands-on projects that enable both graduate and undergraduate students to help them practice security concepts on real devices in tangible manners. This approach effectively helps bridge theoretical knowledge with practical applications. By implementing a bonus-based teaching approach, we aim to enhance learning outcomes. We also evaluate the course’s effectiveness through student surveys conducted over four years, which indicate significant improvements in student expertise and satisfaction with the course content and bonus activities. We share our lessons and experiences from the course.
