Τhe paper introduces the design and development of q uality interactive multimedia educational software based on students’ empirical ideas and conceptual d ifficulties, identified in Greek students 7–12 year s old. The software promotes interdisciplinary study of geometrical optics concepts. We present a survey , which investigated 40 students’ initial ideas about light phenomena using personal interviews. Τhen we describe the design of the educational software “Light-Life”, which was designed based on constructivist views of learning and students’ initial ideas about optics phenomena, such as linear propagation of li ght, shadows formation, light reflection, diffusion and refraction, synthesis of colour light beams, and vi sion. Appropriate printed worksheets were also developed for the students. Τhe proposed approach intends to improve the quality of educational approach and too ls to better respond to students’ needs of learning with understanding and help them reformulate their empirical ideas to better explain everyday life situations related to basic optics phenomena.