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Optics is an important subfield of physics required for instrument design and used in a variety of other disciplines, especially subjects that intersect the life sciences. Students from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds should be educated in the basics of optics to train the next generation of interdisciplinary researchers and instrumentalists who will push the boundaries of discovery or create inexpensive optical-based diagnostics. We present an experimental curriculum developed to teach students the basics of geometric optics, including ray and wave optics. The students learn these concepts in an active, hands-on manner through designing, building, and testing a homebuilt light microscope made from component parts. We describe the experimental equipment and basic measurements students can perform to learn these basic optical principles focusing on good optical design techniques, testing, troubleshooting, and iterative design. Students are also exposed to fundamental concepts of measurement uncertainty inherent in all experimental systems. The project students build is open and versatile to allow advanced projects, such as epifluorescence. We also describe how the equipment and curriculum can be flexibly used for an undergraduate level optics course, an advanced laboratory course, and graduate-level training modules or short courses.