This reminded me of a math professor during my undergrad. He would print out copies a math problem from some journal that published these kinds of interesting problems that are pretty hard and a little different from what you normally see in class. He would then put the copies in the halls of the math building. If you could bring him your solution and explain it to him he would give you $20 and mail in your answer to the journal, who would then send you back a little certificate and publish your name in the next edition.
It was by solving one of these problems (using math that was above the course I was currently taking) that I started to interact more with the math department and decided to take more advanced classes!
It was by solving one of these problems (using math that was above the course I was currently taking) that I started to interact more with the math department and decided to take more advanced classes!