The Australian National University emeritus professor was awarded the prime minister's prize for science on Wednesday night for his body of research, which includes revealing how the Earth changes shape.

Beginning as a fresh faced engineer in the 1960s, Professor Lambeck has taken the path less travelled when his research led him to a fork in the road.

"I see other opportunities, I see other green pastures," he told AAP on Wednesday.

"I've been able to contribute much more than I would have if I stayed in the same field."

Prof Lambeck's early work built the foundations for modern GPS technology, used for precision agriculture and smartphone users alike.

As humans began travelling to space, he discovered the complexity of Earth's gravity field - helping spaceflight and satellites - while taking his journey forward to one that looked back.

The award winner's work looking at historic changes in the gravity field has revealed how shifting continents play a part in rising sea levels.

His career has now taken him to Europe, working alongside archaeologists to better understand past sea levels.

As Prof Lambeck continues to chase answers to the unknown, he hopes Australian children will follow him down a scientific path.

"Science education is critical in the Australian system, it's under-represented, it's under-resourced, it's under-staffed," he said.

"I think it's not seen by the public at large at having great career prospects, most parents would rather see their kids become lawyers and doctors."

His tip for teachers hoping to excite students about the prospect of science?

Ask questions.

"Ask kids to try to explain things and see what they come up with," he says.

"Get their minds cranked up to thinking creatively about what they see, about what they do, to reason, to question, to argue, to contradict.

"If you can learn those things you can do almost anything later on in life."

Australian Associated Press