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The Internet of Things (IoT) technologies can enable products to become smarter through sensing their environment, analyzing lots of data (big data), and connecting to the Internet to allow for the exchange of data. As smart products become ubiquitous, they provide enormous opportunities for scientists and engineers to invent new products and build interconnected systems of vast scale. As a result, the STEM workforce demands are shifting rapidly. Mechanical engineers will play a significant role in innovating and designing smart products and manufacturing systems of the Industry 4.0 revolution. However, the current mechanical engineering curriculum has not kept pace. In this paper, we present an overview of a new curriculum along with the design of an inexpensive smart flowerpot device that was used as an instructional tool throughout the curriculum. We provide details about how two curriculum modules were implemented in the first offering of the course. Preliminary assessment results from the first offering of the course are discussed.