This study describes a set of real-time interactive experiments that address system identification and model reference adaptive control (MRAC) techniques. In constructing laboratory experiments that contribute to efficient teaching, experimental design and instructional strategy are crucial, but a process for doing this has yet to be defined. This paper is an attempt towards filling this gap. Its contributions are: 1) to describe a sample set of experiments for both senior undergraduate- and graduate-level students, to strengthen their understanding of system identification and control; 2) to help instructors wishing to set up a laboratory with an interactive learning strategy; and 3) to propose a set of assessment criteria for engineering accreditation in system identification and control laboratories. A benefit of this paper for engineering educators is that it provides a roadmap for transferring complex theory problems into prototypes in the laboratory. Furthermore, the instructional strategies proposed can easily be adapted to other engineering courses.